Which medication is commonly administered intranasally in prehospital care?

• A. Midazolam
• B. Morphine
• C. Epinephrine
• D. Glucose

Answer: (A)

Delivering a medication intranasally in prehospital care is valued for rapid, needle-free onset, which is especially helpful when working with children who may be difficult to establish IV access. Midazolam fits this scenario well because it is a fast-acting benzodiazepine used to terminate seizures and calm agitation. The intranasal route allows quick absorption through the nasal mucosa, so seizure control can be achieved swiftly without delaying treatment to gain IV access. It’s administered in a simple, weight-based dose and can be delivered with a spray or atomizer, making it practical in the field. Other medications listed don’t typically use the intranasal route in prehospital practice—glucose is usually given orally or by other routes for hypoglycemia, morphine is given IV/IM for pain, and epinephrine is usually given intramuscularly or subcutaneously for anaphylaxis—so intranasal midazolam stands out as the commonly used option in this context.