What characteristic of anesthesia would facilitate rapid induction in a fearful child needing an appendectomy?

Rapid induction of anesthesia, especially in a fearful child, is crucial to minimize anxiety and facilitate a smooth surgical process without prolonged distress. The characteristic that facilitates this rapid induction is low blood solubility of the anesthetic agent.

Anesthetics with low blood solubility are quickly taken up into the bloodstream from the lungs when inhaled. This means that they can rapidly enter the central nervous system, where they exert their effects. The low solubility allows for faster changes in the partial pressure of the anesthetic in the bloodstream and, consequently, in the brain. This leads to a quicker onset of anesthesia, which is particularly beneficial in a pediatric patient who may be anxious or uncooperative.

In contrast, agents with high blood solubility would result in slower induction because they would be absorbed into the blood more slowly, delaying the onset of their anesthetic effects. Thus, choosing an anesthetic with low blood solubility is critical for ensuring that the child can be sedated quickly, minimizing their anxiety and allowing for a more efficient surgical procedure.