HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

When is rectal insertion typically used as a method of drug administration?

1. As the first method of choice

2. Only when other methods are complicated or unavailable

3. For patients under general anesthesia

4. In place of inhalation sedation

The correct answer is: Only when other methods are complicated or unavailable

Rectal insertion is typically used as a method of drug administration primarily when other routes are complicated or unavailable. This is because certain circumstances, such as the patient's medical condition, vomiting, unconsciousness, or inability to swallow, may limit the use of more common methods like oral or intravenous administration. The rectal route can provide an effective alternative in these situations since it allows for the absorption of medications directly into the systemic circulation, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, which may not be functional or safe at the moment. In practice, rectal administration is not the first choice given that it can be less convenient and more intrusive compared to oral methods, which are preferred whenever possible. Similarly, while it may be used for patients under general anesthesia, it is not specifically limited to those scenarios alone, and inhalation sedation typically utilizes respiratory routes rather than rectal administration.