11. Which of the following is a parenteral route of administration?
Answer: A
Subcutaneous is a parenteral route of administration.
Parenteral routes of administration involve delivering medications directly into the body, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. Subcutaneous administration is one such route where the drug is injected into the tissue just beneath the skin.
A) Subcutaneous
This option is correct because the subcutaneous route involves injecting medication into the fatty tissue under the skin. This method allows for the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream without passing through the digestive system, which is a defining characteristic of parenteral routes.
B) Rectal
Rectal administration is not classified as a parenteral route. Although it bypasses the oral route and can deliver medications directly into the systemic circulation, it still involves the gastrointestinal tract to some extent, distinguishing it from parenteral routes.
C) Oral
Oral administration is not a parenteral route since it involves taking medication by mouth, where it must pass through the digestive system before being absorbed into the bloodstream. This route is therefore not considered parenteral.
D) Sublingual
Sublingual administration involves placing a drug under the tongue for absorption, which, while bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, is still not classified as parenteral. This route does not involve injection or direct entry into the bloodstream like parenteral routes do.
Conclusion
Subcutaneous is the only option that correctly identifies a parenteral route of administration, as it involves direct injection into the body. All other options either involve the gastrointestinal tract or are not delivery methods that bypass it entirely, confirming that they do not meet the criteria for parenteral routes.