Final answer:
Subcutaneous injections deliver medication between the skin and the muscle, often used for drugs like insulin that manage blood glucose levels. They are preferable for home admin due to being less invasive and allowing self-administration. This route allows for slow absorption into the bloodstream, suitable for drugs not well absorbed through the GI tract.
Step-by-step explanation:
Subcutaneous injections deliver medication B. between the skin and the muscle. This method of drug administration is chosen when a drug cannot be absorbed well in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or when higher plasma levels are necessary, as is the case with certain infections. Subcutaneous injections, such as insulin injections, are preferred for home administration because they allow patients to conveniently manage conditions like diabetes by decreasing blood glucose levels after meals. This route of administration introduces the drug into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin, allowing for slow and consistent absorption into the bloodstream.
Unlike intravenous injections which deliver chemotherapy drugs directly into the bloodstream, or intramuscular injections that deliver vaccines into the muscle tissue, subcutaneous injections are less invasive and can often be self-administered. It is also distinct from mucosal administration, such as placing a drug under the tongue, or topical applications used for superficial skin infections or to reduce inflammation in bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between body tissues.