Answer :
Final answer:
Certain opioids and sedatives can be administered endotracheally with dosage varying based on factors such as dilution and patient weight or mass. Careful consideration of drug metabolism and clearance is necessary to prevent toxicity, especially in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction. Always dilute ET medications in normal saline followed by a saline flush. So the correct answer is option B.
Explanation:
When considering Endotracheal (ET) drug administration, safe practice requires clear knowledge not only of the drugs that can be safely administered via this route but also their appropriate dosages. It is important to recognize that the dosage of medication must be determined carefully to achieve the therapeutic levels necessary without causing significant toxicity (side effects) to the patient. Drugs administered endotracheally are typically those that are critical in emergency situations, including certain opioids and sedatives when intravenous access is not available.
In the case of pediatric patients, dosages often depend on the patient’s mass or weight, whereas adults may have a standard single dose. However, this can be problematic due to the great variability in adult body mass, leading some experts to suggest that dosing should consider mass for all patients. Metabolism and clearance of drugs, affected by liver or kidney dysfunction, can also lead to increased drug levels and the potential for toxicity.
Specifically, certain medications such as opioids (e.g., morphine) and sedatives (e.g., lorazepam, midazolam) can be given endotracheally. The doses may vary and should always be higher than the IV dose due to dilution and absorption factors when administering drugs via the ET tube. It is critical to dilute these drugs in normal saline and follow with several milliliters of saline flush to ensure proper drug delivery to the lungs.