What must be done if a patient shows signs of respiratory depression?

When a patient exhibits signs of respiratory depression, providing supplemental oxygen is a critical and immediate response to ensure adequate oxygenation. This intervention helps to counteract hypoxia that may result from decreased breathing effort or shallow breathing. Additionally, preparing for possible resuscitation measures is essential because respiratory depression can lead to further complications, including respiratory or cardiac arrest.

By being ready to intervene, you ensure a safety net is in place should the patient’s condition worsen. This prompt action decreases the risk of more severe consequences and aligns with best practices for patient safety in a dental setting. Monitoring alone without intervention could lead to deterioration of the patient’s condition, while administering more anesthetic agents would likely exacerbate the problem. Moreover, simply notifying the dentist and waiting for instructions could result in a dangerous delay in addressing a critical situation.