Final answer:
The most appropriate and convenient route for home administration of an antimicrobial to treat a systemic infection is oral administration. It is easy to take and safe for patients managing their treatment at home, while parenteral routes such as intravenous or intramuscular injections are more complex and typically used in healthcare settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves identifying the appropriate and convenient route for home administration of an antimicrobial to treat a systemic infection. Among the options, oral administration is generally preferred because it is the most convenient and safe for patients to manage at home. Oral drugs are also preferred for systemic infections whenever possible because of their ease of use. For systemic infections that require higher plasma levels of a medication, intravenous administration might be chosen, but this typically occurs in a healthcare setting due to the complexity of the procedure. Topical medications are suitable for treating localized infections on the skin or mucous membranes, not systemic infections. Parenteral routes, including intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, offer alternative pathways for drug delivery when oral administration is not possible or appropriate; however, these methods are less convenient for home administration
If oral administration is not feasible due to problems with the gastrointestinal tract or drug absorption issues, parenteral routes become necessary. Nevertheless, these are more commonly administered in a healthcare environment. For a systemic infection treated at home, the oral route remains the most appropriate and convenient administration pathway.