premedication
Pronunciation: pree-med-ih-KAY-shun
Anxiolytic medication given before anesthesia to reduce anxiety and facilitate smooth induction, with midazolam being the most common choice in pediatric practice.
Full Definition
Premedication refers to anxiolytic drugs administered before anesthesia induction to reduce patient anxiety, facilitate separation from parents, and improve cooperation during anesthetic induction. In pediatric anesthesia, oral midazolam is the most commonly used premedication due to its rapid onset, short duration, and anterograde amnesic properties. The decision to use premedication depends on factors such as the child's age, temperament, previous medical experiences, and parental anxiety levels. Alternative agents include intranasal dexmedetomidine, ketamine, or alpha-2 agonists.
Usage
Usage note: Can be abbreviated as 'premed' in informal contexts, but spell out in formal documentation.
In Context
- "Oral midazolam premedication was administered 30 minutes prior to facilitate smooth separation from parents." — Anesthesia record
- "The effectiveness of premedication was evident as the child cooperated willingly during mask induction." — Clinical observation