Question

A medical assistant is arranging medication in a storage cabinet according to the routes of administration. The assistant should categorize methyl salicylate linament in which of the following routes?

1) Oral
2) Topical
3) Intravenous
4) Intramuscular

Answer 1

Methyl salicylate liniment should be categorized as a topical route of administration, designed to work at the site of application to soothe sore muscles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Methyl salicylate liniment is categorized as a topical route of administration. This is because it is an ester of salicylic acid used in the form of a skin ointment to soothe sore muscles. The liniment is applied directly to the skin, indicating that its mode of administration is topical.

The oral route is typically preferred for drugs that can be absorbed easily from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the intravenous or intramuscular routes are used for drugs that are not absorbed easily and require immediate or high plasma levels. Methyl salicylate, however, is designed to work at the site of application, making it suitable for local treatment as a topical agent.