Which method of drug delivery is used to provide rapid anesthetic effects?

• A. Oral administration
• B. Intramuscular injection
• C. Intravenous injection
• D. Subcutaneous injection

Answer: (C)

Intravenous injection is the method of drug delivery that provides rapid anesthetic effects due to its direct entry into the bloodstream. When anesthetic agents are administered through an IV, they bypass the absorption processes that occur with other methods. This allows for immediate distribution throughout the body, leading to a quick onset of anesthesia.

In contrast, oral administration requires absorption through the gastrointestinal tract, which can delay the effects of the drug significantly as it must pass through the liver and be metabolized before reaching systemic circulation. Intramuscular injections do offer a faster onset than some routes, but they still require absorption from the injection site into the bloodstream. Subcutaneous injections similarly involve absorption from the injected tissue and typically have a slower onset compared to intravenous delivery. This is why intravenous injection is preferred when rapid anesthesia is crucial.