Final answer:
The form of drug administration that involves a needle, syringe, and container is parenteral administration. It is used when medications need to bypass the GI tract or require swift attainment of high plasma levels, and is often preferred for systemic infections when oral administration is not suitable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of drug administration that requires the use of a needle, syringe, and a container is parenteral administration. This route of administration bypasses the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and includes methods like intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) injections. Parenteral administration is often used in healthcare settings and is preferred when a drug is not absorbed well from the GI tract or when high plasma levels of the drug are required quickly, such as in the treatment of systemic infections or during general anesthesia.
When choosing the most appropriate and convenient route for home administration of an antimicrobial to treat a systemic infection, oral administration could be considered preferable due to its ease of use for the patient. However, if the drug is not easily absorbed from the GI tract or the patient cannot take oral medications (due to reasons like vomiting or intubation), parenteral routes such as IV or IM injections would be necessary, typically administered in a healthcare setting. Special situations, such as dehydration, necessitate intravenous administration to deliver fluids directly into the bloodstream.