Which method can be used to recall a drug given orally?

Which method can be used to recall a drug given orally?

• A. Gastric lavage
• B. Syringe exchange
• C. IV infusion
• D. Transcutaneous absorption

Answer: (A)

When you want to remove a drug that was swallowed before it can be absorbed, you use gastric lavage. This procedure involves passing a tube into the stomach and washing out its contents, then aspirating the liquid to physically remove the ingested substance. It is most effective if performed soon after ingestion, before substantial absorption occurs, and it’s chosen when rapid decontamination is needed and the risks are acceptable. The other options don’t remove stomach contents: a syringe exchange is unrelated to decontamination; IV infusion delivers drug into the bloodstream rather than removing it from the stomach; and transcutaneous absorption refers to the drug moving through the skin, not recall from the stomach.

When you want to remove a drug that was swallowed before it can be absorbed, you use gastric lavage. This procedure involves passing a tube into the stomach and washing out its contents, then aspirating the liquid to physically remove the ingested substance. It is most effective if performed soon after ingestion, before substantial absorption occurs, and it’s chosen when rapid decontamination is needed and the risks are acceptable.

The other options don’t remove stomach contents: a syringe exchange is unrelated to decontamination; IV infusion delivers drug into the bloodstream rather than removing it from the stomach; and transcutaneous absorption refers to the drug moving through the skin, not recall from the stomach.