Parenteral administration

Definition

Parenteral administration is the delivery of medications by injection through routes such as intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). It bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, allowing for faster absorption and onset of action.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Parenteral routes include IV, IM, SC, and intradermal (ID) injections.
2. This method is used when rapid drug action is required or when the drug would be inactivated in the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Aseptic technique is crucial to prevent infections during parenteral administration.
4. Common sites for IM injections are the deltoid, vastus lateralis, and gluteus maximus muscles.
5. IV administration allows for precise control over drug dosage and rapid onset of effects.

Review Questions

• What are the four main routes of parenteral drug administration?
• Why might a medication be administered parenterally instead of orally?
• What precautions should be taken to ensure safe parenteral administration?

Related terms

Intravenous (IV): Administration of medication directly into a vein.

Intramuscular (IM): Injection of medication into a muscle.

Subcutaneous (SC): Injection of medication into the tissue layer between the skin and muscle.