Final answer:
The dose of oral medication is typically higher than the dose of the same medication administered via the intravenous route because the oral route undergoes first-pass metabolism in the liver. The correct answer to the question is: b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dose of oral medication is typically higher than the dose of the same medication administered via the intravenous route due to several factors.
The correct answer to the question is:
b. Oral route undergoes first-pass metabolism in the liver.
When a medication is taken orally, it passes through the digestive system and is absorbed into the bloodstream. However, before reaching the systemic circulation, the medication must first pass through the liver, where it may undergo metabolism or elimination. This process is known as first-pass metabolism and can reduce the amount of active drug available for distribution to the target site.
In contrast, intravenous administration bypasses the digestive system and delivers the medication directly into the bloodstream. This avoids first-pass metabolism in the liver and allows for a larger proportion of the drug to reach the target site. As a result, a lower dose is needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.