Parenteral administration refers to what method of delivering medication?

Parenteral administration refers specifically to delivering medication through injection methods, which includes both intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) routes. This method allows for the medication to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream or muscle tissue, providing a more immediate and effective therapeutic effect compared to other routes of administration that involve digestion or absorption through the skin.

Using injections can bypass the gastrointestinal tract, making parenteral routes particularly useful for patients who may be unable to take medications orally due to nausea, vomiting, or other reasons. In contrast, the other options focus on routes that either involve the digestive system or are external applications, which do not meet the definition of parenteral administration.