Final answer:
Oral administration of drugs requires a patient to effectively swallow and absorb the medication through the gastrointestinal tract. Some conditions or illnesses may necessitate alternative routes like intravenous or intramuscular injections for drug delivery.
Step-by-step explanation:
To have oral route of drug administration, it is required that the patient is able to swallow and absorb medications effectively through their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Oral medications are typically preferred due to the convenience they offer for home administration. That said, some drugs are not easily absorbed from the GI tract, and alternative administration routes, such as intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injections, might be necessary, especially in a healthcare setting for a more immediate and higher plasma concentration level.
Patient considerations such as the absence of vomiting or intubation, functioning digestion, and no issues with drug absorption in the GI tract are necessary for oral administration. Other considerations include the patient's liver and kidney function, which affect drug metabolism and clearance. For patients who might have difficulty with oral medications due to illness, supervised administration like directly observed therapy (DOT) can be implemented, ensuring they receive their treatment properly.