Which statement is true about aquatic inhalant anesthetics?

Which statement is true about aquatic inhalant anesthetics?

• A. Delivery and elimination occurs via the lungs
• B. They are injected intramuscularly
• C. They are solids at room temperature
• D. They do not require removal of waste gases

Answer: (A)

Inhalant anesthetics work by delivering vapors through the breath and clearing them through exhalation, so the lungs handle both administration and elimination. These agents are typically volatile liquids at room temperature that become gas in the breathing circuit, and their uptake into the bloodstream (and eventual washout) depends on ventilation and the agent’s blood-gas partition coefficient. Because they pass through the lungs, using a scavenging system to remove waste gases is essential to protect staff from exposure. They are not given by intramuscular injection, they are not solids at room temperature, and waste gas removal is definitely required.

Inhalant anesthetics work by delivering vapors through the breath and clearing them through exhalation, so the lungs handle both administration and elimination. These agents are typically volatile liquids at room temperature that become gas in the breathing circuit, and their uptake into the bloodstream (and eventual washout) depends on ventilation and the agent’s blood-gas partition coefficient. Because they pass through the lungs, using a scavenging system to remove waste gases is essential to protect staff from exposure. They are not given by intramuscular injection, they are not solids at room temperature, and waste gas removal is definitely required.