Final answer:
Intravenous administration is the fastest route for drug delivery, achieving immediate systemic effects. For home administration of an antimicrobial to treat a systemic infection, oral administration is commonly preferred. However, if a drug isn't absorbed well in the GI tract, parenteral methods like intravenous injections are used.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the fastest route of administration for drugs. Among the options given, intravenous administration is the quickest method to deliver a substance into the bloodstream, resulting in immediate systemic effects. When looking for an appropriate and convenient route for administering an antimicrobial to treat a systemic infection at home, an oral route is often preferred due to its convenience and safety for home use. However, when a drug is not readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or when immediate effect is required, other parenteral routes like intravenous or intramuscular injections may be used, typically in a health-care setting.