What is the primary purpose of an antiemetic?

The primary purpose of an antiemetic is to stop nausea and vomiting. Antiemetics are medications specifically designed to alleviate these symptoms, which can be triggered by various factors such as motion sickness, medication side effects, or certain medical conditions. By effectively reducing the urge to vomit and minimizing feelings of nausea, antiemetics play a crucial role in patient care and comfort, especially in situations where these symptoms could lead to further complications, such as dehydration.

In contrast, other options do not align with the main function of antiemetics. Encouraging vomiting would be counterproductive to the use of antiemetics, which seek to prevent that outcome. While preventing dehydration is important in cases of severe vomiting, it is not the direct action of antiemetics; rather, it can be a secondary benefit of controlling nausea and vomiting. Promoting digestion is also unrelated, as antiemetics do not aid in the digestive process but rather focus on managing symptoms associated with nausea and vomiting.