Final answer:
Total intravenous anesthesia refers to the technique of administering continuous intravenous agents to maintain the depth of anesthesia, which is option B. This method uses only intravenous drugs and avoids inhalational agents. TIVA offers precise control of anesthesia levels and is suited to certain medical situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) refers to the administration of anesthetic agents exclusively via the intravenous route without using inhalational agents. The correct answer to the question is B) Administering a continuous infusion of an intravenous agent titrated to the appropriate depth of anesthesia. General anesthetics are used to induce anesthesia, which is a reversible loss of sensation or awareness essential for surgical procedures. The anesthetics used can be classified into inhalational and intravenous agents, and TIVA uses only intravenous agents such as propofol, etomidate, and barbiturates.
TIVA is different from other methods that may involve the use of inhalational agents for maintaining anesthesia or a combination of different drugs to minimize side effects. By delivering anesthesia solely by injection, the healthcare provider can achieve a desired level of anesthesia that is rapidly adjustable, according to the patient's needs. TIVA is particularly useful in situations where using inhalational anesthesia is not ideal or possible.