Inhalant anesthetics have rapid recovery but cause cardiovascular and respiratory depression. What best describes their recovery?

• A. Rapid
• B. Slow
• C. Moderate
• D. Prolonged

Answer: (A)

Recovery after inhalant anesthesia depends on how soluble the agent is in blood. Inhalants with low blood-gas solubility leave the brain and the body quickly because they equilibrate rapidly with the blood and are mostly eliminated by the lungs. So, even though these agents can depress cardiovascular and respiratory function during administration, stopping the agent leads to a fast drop in brain concentration and swift emergence. If an agent were highly soluble, recovery would be slower and more prolonged due to extended redistribution and washout. Therefore, the best description is rapid recovery.