Which inhalation agent corresponds with a blood gas partition coefficient of 2.5?

Halothane is associated with a blood gas partition coefficient of approximately 2.5, indicating its relatively high solubility in blood compared to other inhalation agents. This coefficient reflects how quickly the anesthetic agent can move between the bloodstream and the brain, influencing the onset and offset of anesthesia. A higher blood solubility means that the anesthetic will require a longer time to reach equilibrium between the alveoli in the lungs and the bloodstream, which translates to a slower induction and recovery time. This characteristic is important for anesthesia management since it affects the speed at which a patient can be induced and emerge from anesthesia. Therefore, halothane's blood gas partition coefficient directly correlates with its pharmacokinetic profile, emphasizing its unique role among inhalational agents.

Other inhalation agents like isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane have lower blood gas partition coefficients, resulting in a quicker onset and recovery, enabling faster adjustments to the depth of anesthesia.