The oil:gas partition coefficient of an inhalational agent primarily determines its:

• A Speed of induction and recovery
• B Degree of respiratory depression
• C Rate of biotransformation in the liver
• D Potency (expressed as MAC) ✓

Explanation

The oil:gas partition coefficient reflects lipid solubility and directly determines potency; there is an inverse relationship between MAC and the oil:gas partition coefficient (Meyer-Overton correlation). Blood:gas partition coefficient determines speed of induction and recovery — agents with low blood:gas solubility equilibrate faster. Respiratory depression is related to pharmacodynamic effects, not directly to the oil:gas coefficient alone. Biotransformation rate depends on molecular structure and hepatic enzyme accessibility.

Reference: Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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