Question

The nurse administers medications by various routes of delivery. The nurse would use which route for a client that needs immediate effect of the medication?

a) intravenous
b) Ttransdermal
c) rectal
d) oral

Answer 1

The intravenous (option a) route is used for immediate effect of medication, while the oral route is preferred for home administration of an antimicrobial to treat a systemic infection. Other administration routes are considered based on specific circumstances.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would use the intravenous route for a client that needs the immediate effect of the medication. This route quickly delivers the medication directly into the bloodstream, ensuring rapid action. When a drug is administered intravenously, plasma levels of the medication peak very quickly, as shown by Figure 14.7, which is essential for treating conditions that require an immediate therapeutic effect.

For home administration of an antimicrobial to treat a systemic infection, the oral route would be appropriate and convenient. Oral administration is generally preferred for at-home treatments because it is easy for patients to self-administer. Moreover, for most drugs, sufficient plasma levels can be achieved by oral administration to effectively treat the infection.

Other routes of administration such as transdermal, rectal, and parenteral, including intramuscular, are considered for specific situations and can vary in their speed of effect and convenience for home use.