A child is scheduled for nitrous oxide sedation. Parents report the child has not eaten since the night before, but the child says she ate a bowl of cereal with milk. What should you do?

Correct answer: B. Cancel and reschedule after confirming adequate NPO period

• A. Incorrect. While nitrous oxide has less restrictive NPO requirements than general anesthesia, a child who has eaten a full meal poses a nausea/aspiration risk during sedation.
• B. Correct. When a child discloses eating a full meal (cereal with milk) before a sedation appointment, the safest course is to CANCEL and RESCHEDULE. The child's report takes priority over the parent's assumption. Aspiration risk during sedation outweighs the benefit of proceeding.
• C. Incorrect. Antiemetics do not eliminate aspiration risk in a child with a full stomach during sedation.
• D. Incorrect. Reducing N2O concentration does not address the full-stomach aspiration risk.