Final answer:
If IV access is not available, the next best route for medication administration is intramuscular injection. This is because some drugs are not easily absorbed from the GI tract or the patient is unable to take oral medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
If IV (intravenous) access is not available, the next best-preferred route for medication administration would be the parenteral route, specifically intramuscular (IM) injection. This route is often used in health-care settings and is beneficial when medication cannot be absorbed in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. The intramuscular route can deliver medication directly into the muscles, allowing the drug to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The oral route is generally the preferred method for home administration of medication because of its convenience, but it is not suitable if the patient cannot absorb the drug well from the GI tract or in certain clinical situations where the patient cannot take oral medications.
Topical and transdermal routes are other alternatives that can be used for the administration of certain drugs, such as peptide-based medications and treatments for superficial skin infections.