How is oral administration defined?

Oral administration is defined as the process of taking substances by mouth, which are then swallowed and absorbed through the digestive system. This method of drug administration is one of the most common and convenient routes because it allows for the intake of medication in a relatively easy manner, often without the need for specialized training or equipment.

When substances are ingested orally, they pass through the gastrointestinal tract, where they are broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. This route can be advantageous for several reasons, including the potential for longer-lasting effects and the ease of self-administration.

The other choices involve methods that are distinctly different from oral administration. For instance, injecting substances directly into the bloodstream refers to intravenous administration, while methods using a needle indicate parenteral routes. Applying drugs through patches on the skin describes transdermal administration, which also bypasses the digestive system entirely. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing the appropriate contexts and applications for each method of drug administration.