What are the routes of medication administration?

The correct answer includes a comprehensive set of routes for medication administration: oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, topical, and inhalation. Each of these routes is essential in the field of medication administration, allowing healthcare providers to choose the most effective method based on the medication, the desired speed of action, and the patient's condition.

• Oral administration is one of the most common routes and is used for tablets, capsules, and liquid medications, allowing easy intake and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Subcutaneous and intramuscular routes involve injections, which are crucial for medications that require faster absorption or cannot be taken orally, such as insulin or certain vaccines.

• Intravenous administration is the fastest route, providing immediate effects, and is used for emergency situations or when precise control over medication levels is needed.
• Topical administration allows for localized treatment without systemic effects, ideal for conditions like skin irritations or infections.
• Inhalation delivers medication directly to the respiratory system, making it effective for conditions like asthma or COPD.

Other options contain limitations. For example, B includes nasal administration, which isn't traditionally categorized alongside the most common routes, and transdermal, which is specific to patches. C and D both omit significant routes like