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When a patient has not signed the informed consent before scheduled sedation, the most appropriate action is to hold the sedation until consent is completed. Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in healthcare. It ensures that the patient has been adequately informed about the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives, and voluntarily agrees to proceed. Administering sedation without consent could expose the care team to legal implications and violate the patient's rights.

Holding the sedation protects not only the patient's autonomy but also the integrity of the healthcare provider's practice. It allows for the opportunity to discuss the procedure with the patient, ensuring they have all necessary information to make an informed decision. This action demonstrates respect for the patient's decision-making rights and safeguards against potential harm or legal issues that might arise from proceeding without consent.

Other responses, such as asking the supervisor for advice or having the patient sign the consent after the scheduled sedation, do not address the immediate need to respect the informed consent process and could result in ethical and legal complications.