Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

The criterion for intravenous sedation readiness for discharge focuses on the patient's ability to stay awake and alert following sedation. Remaining awake for 20 minutes without stimulation indicates that the patient is regaining sufficient cognitive function and has not experienced prolonged sedation effects. This level of alertness is critical as it demonstrates the patient's ability to respond to verbal cues and situational demands, which are essential for safe discharge.

The other options, while important to the overall recovery process, do not specifically assess the immediacy of readiness for discharge post-sedation. For example, the ability to speak clearly is a helpful sign but does not necessarily confirm overall alertness or cognitive recovery. Similarly, stable vital signs are crucial for patient safety, but stability over one hour may not directly relate to the immediate effects of sedation. Lastly, being able to eat and drink without nausea is also significant for recovery from the procedure but does not directly indicate that the patient is ready for discharge in terms of cognitive function. Therefore, staying awake for 20 minutes without stimulation is the most direct measure of discharge readiness after intravenous sedation.