Final answer:
b) Intravenous injection, intramuscular injection
Naloxone (Narcan) can be administered to infants primarily through intravenous and intramuscular injections, both methods allowing for quick absorption into the bloodstream to counteract opioid effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is an opiate antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, such as respiratory depression. In terms of administering Naloxone to infants, two appropriate methods can be considered:
- Intramuscular injection: This method involves injecting the medication directly into the muscles, which allows for the drug to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Intravenous injection: This involves injecting Naloxone directly into a vein, providing a quicker entry into the bloodstream and usually a more immediate effect.
Other methods of administration such as intranasal and subcutaneous injections are also used, but for infants, particularly in an emergency situation, intramuscular and intravenous injections are preferred due to their efficacy and rapid action. Oral administration is not used for Naloxone as it is not effectively absorbed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and would not provide the immediate effects that are required in an overdose situation.
To summarize, the correct answer to how Naloxone may be given to an infant is:
b) Intravenous injection, intramuscular injection.