What does parenteral mean?

What does parenteral mean?

• A. Taken orally and absorbed through the digestive system
• B. Administered outside the gastrointestinal tract, typically via injection
• C. Delivered directly into the bloodstream via IV
• D. Absorbed through the skin without breaking the skin barrier

Answer: (B)

Parenteral means a route of administration that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. It is typically given by injection, including subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous methods. This route is used when a drug would be destroyed or poorly absorbed in the digestive system, when a rapid effect is needed, or when the patient cannot take medications by mouth. For example, vaccines and insulin are commonly given parenterally. The other options describe routes that involve the GI tract (oral) or skin without breaching the barrier in a way that would be considered parenteral.

Parenteral means a route of administration that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. It is typically given by injection, including subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous methods. This route is used when a drug would be destroyed or poorly absorbed in the digestive system, when a rapid effect is needed, or when the patient cannot take medications by mouth. For example, vaccines and insulin are commonly given parenterally. The other options describe routes that involve the GI tract (oral) or skin without breaching the barrier in a way that would be considered parenteral.