The effect depends on the type of nerve involved. A local anesthetic agent blocks motor nerves less easily and sympathetic nerves more easily. An anesthetic agent is only considered metabolized when all three systems (motor, sensory, and autonomic) are no longer affected. The patient under regional anesthesia is awake and aware of his or her surroundings unless medications are administered to produce mild sedation or to relieve anxiety. Local anesthesia, on the other hand, involves injecting a solution containing the anesthetic agent into the tissues at the intended incision site (Brunner, p..