Final answer:
General anesthetics are used for patients undergoing a procedure that requires general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. The drugs relax the necessary muscles for breathing and moving the tongue and are administered via an anesthesia machine. After surgery, it takes time for the patient to wake up and regain control of their breathing muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drugs used for patients undergoing a procedure that requires general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation are called general anesthetics. General anesthetics can be administered as volatile liquids or gases, usually delivered using an anesthesia machine. The anesthesia machine allows for the delivery of a mixture of oxygen, anesthetics, and ambient air to the patient.
During general anesthesia, the muscles necessary for breathing and moving the tongue can be affected. To maintain an open airway and avoid complications, doctors use a procedure called endotracheal intubation, which involves placing a tube into the trachea. The anesthesiologist adjusts the mixture of gases to keep the patient unconscious and gradually removes the tube when the muscles of respiration begin to function.
After surgery, it takes about 30 minutes for the patient to wake up and regain control of their breathing muscles. It is common for patients to experience a sore or scratchy throat for a few days after endotracheal intubation.