Final answer:
IV stands for intravenous, which is a method of administering medications directly into a vein. While oral administration is typically preferred for home treatment of systemic infections, intravenous or intramuscular injections may be used in healthcare settings when higher plasma levels of medication are needed or when oral absorption is inadequate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "IV" stands for intravenous. This is a route of administration for medications or fluids directly into a vein. In the context of this question, for treating a systemic infection with an antimicrobial at home, the most appropriate and convenient route would be oral administration. However, when the oral route is not effective due to drug absorption issues in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or when more immediate and higher plasma levels are required, the antimicrobial could be administered by a parenteral route, which includes intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injections. These parenteral routes are typically performed in health-care settings because they require sterile technique and professional oversight.