Fastest to slowest routes of administration!! Help!

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My exam is next monday and my teacher is conveniently on vacation! I need some help with the fastest to slowest routes of administration!!

I am getting confused...different sources, different rankings! LOL

Please rank these for me in order from fastest rate of absorption to the slowest:

  • inhalation
  • oral
  • sublingual
  • buccal
  • topical (including transdermal)
  • mucous membranes
  • iv injection
  • I'm injection
  • sub q injection

Thanks!

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Use your critical thinking skills...hint: IV = fastest and depending on the med, PO or topical can be the slowest.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

The only one I'm absolutely sure of is the iv injection. It goes directly into the vein so it is utilized within seconds. I suspect inhalation is second because the medication is absorbed directly into the capillaries of the lung, basically similar to going directly into the bloodstream. Based on that criteria, you'd have to do a little investigation on the internet and in your textbooks. Sorry, I can't be of more help.

#2 - inhalation
oral
sublingual
buccal
topical (including transdermal)
mucous membranes
#1 - iv injection
im injection (generally take 15-30 minutes to take effect)
sub q injection
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Thanks everyone. my thoughts would be:

  • inhalation
  • IV injection
  • sublingual
  • IM injection
  • Sub Q injection
  • oral
  • topical

I guess I should just go with that. does that sound right?

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