Final answer:
The drug expected to be used for an infant hospitalized with RSV infection via inhalation is ribavirin (Virazole). Ribavirin is chosen because it has been effective against a variety of viral infections, including RSV, which can cause severe illness in infants.
Step-by-step explanation:
An infant has been hospitalized with a severe lung infection caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and will be receiving medication via the inhalation route. The nurse expects which drug to be used? The correct answer is d. ribavirin (Virazole).
Respiratory syncytial virus infections are common in infants and can lead to severe complications such as viral pneumonia. While most adults experience RSV infections with mild cold-like symptoms that resolve within a week or two, infants may experience life-threatening conditions. The medication ribavirin has been used to treat a variety of viral infections and is administered via inhalation to treat severe RSV infections in infants. Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting viral RNA replication, thus limiting the progression of the infection.
Other antivirals like acyclovir and ganciclovir are used for different viral infections such as herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus, respectively, and amantadine is used for influenza. Ribavirin is the most appropriate treatment for severe RSV infections due to its effectiveness in treating this specific virus.