What term refers to the methods by which a medication is delivered?

• A. Adverse reactions
• B. How supplied
• C. Routes of administration
• D. Dosage

Answer: (C)

Routes of administration describe the methods by which a medication is delivered into the body. This concept matters because the route determines how quickly and how much of the drug enters systemic circulation, influencing onset, duration, and overall effect. In prehospital care, common routes include intravenous and intraosseous for rapid systemic delivery, intramuscular and subcutaneous for slower absorption, inhalation for rapid airway/respiratory effects, intranasal for quick mucosal absorption, and oral when the patient can swallow.

Other terms refer to different aspects: dosage is the amount and schedule of the drug, how supplied describes the packaging or form, and adverse reactions are the unwanted effects that may occur.