What do the abbreviations PO, IV, and IM stand for?

What do the abbreviations PO, IV, and IM stand for?

• A. PO = by mouth (oral), IV = intravenous, IM = intramuscular
• B. PO = by injection, IV = by mouth, IM = by injection
• C. PO = by mouth, IV = by IV injection, IM = intramuscular
• D. PO = by mouth (oral), IV = intramuscular, IM = intravenous

Answer: (A)

Routes of medication administration are described by these common abbreviations. PO means by mouth, taken orally. IV stands for intravenous, given through a vein for rapid effect. IM stands for intramuscular, injected into muscle tissue. This pairing matches the standard definitions precisely, making it the best choice. The other options mix up the routes—for example, suggesting IV is by mouth or IM is not through muscle—so they don’t fit the established meanings.

Routes of medication administration are described by these common abbreviations. PO means by mouth, taken orally. IV stands for intravenous, given through a vein for rapid effect. IM stands for intramuscular, injected into muscle tissue. This pairing matches the standard definitions precisely, making it the best choice. The other options mix up the routes—for example, suggesting IV is by mouth or IM is not through muscle—so they don’t fit the established meanings.