Final answer:
The least desirable route of administration for drugs during pediatric resuscitation is endotracheal, with IV being the preferred method. When endotracheally administered, higher doses than IV are used due to lower absorption. Oral antimicrobials are common for home use, but IV or IM may be required for severe infections or poor GI absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : a
While endotracheal administration is a valid alternative when intravenous access is not immediately available, it is not the preferred method due to variable absorption and potential complications. Intravenous (IV) administration is generally the most effective and preferred route for delivering medications during resuscitation. This route allows for the most direct delivery of the drug into the bloodstream, ensuring rapid and predictable effects. However, establishing IV access in pediatric patients can sometimes be challenging. If IV access cannot be obtained, the endotracheal route can be used as an alternative for certain drugs.
When administering drugs via the endotracheal tube, it is crucial to know that the dose should typically be higher than the IV dose, not lower, to account for decreased absorption through the tracheal mucosa. Oral administration of antimicrobials is often appropriate for home treatment of systemic infections, provided the drug is effectively absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. However, for severe infections or when a drug is not well absorbed orally, parenteral administration (IV or IM) may be required, and this is usually performed in a health-care setting. Achieving the desired plasma levels of the drug swiftly can be very important, and this is most reliably done through intravenous administration.