A six-month-old infant is receiving ribavirin for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus.
Ribavirin is administered via which one of the following routes?
A . Oral
B . IM
C . IV
D . Aerosol
Answer: D
Explanation:
(A) Ribavirin is not supplied in an oral form.
(B) Ribavirin is administered by aerosol in order to decrease the duration of viral shedding within the infected tissue.
(C) Ribavirin is not approved for IV use to treat respiratory syncytial virus.
(D) Ribavirin is a synthetic antiviral agent supplied as a crystalline powder that is reconstituted with sterile water. A Small Aerosol Particle Generator unit aerosolizes the medication for delivery by oxygen hood, croup tent, or aerosol mask.