Final answer:
Deep sedation is the type of sedation during which a patient loses consciousness and the ability to protect their airway. It differs from minimal, moderate, and conscious sedation, where patients maintain various levels of responsiveness and airway control.
Step-by-step explanation:
In which type of sedation does the patient lose consciousness and the ability to protect his or her airway? The answer is c) Deep sedation. During deep sedation, patients enter a state where they cannot easily be awoken but may respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. Their ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate.
By contrast, with minimal sedation, patients maintain airway control and cognitive function. In moderate sedation, patients can still respond to commands either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation and maintain airway control. With conscious sedation, also known as procedural sedation, the patient maintains airway reflexes and can respond purposely to verbal or tactile stimulation.