Which of the following are examples of parenteral medications?

• A. Intramuscular medications
• B. Oral medications
• C. Topical medications
• D. Inhaled medications

Answer: (A)

Parenteral administration means delivering a medication by routes that bypass the digestive tract, typically through injections into muscle, a vein, or under the skin. Intramuscular medications are a prime example because they’re injected directly into muscle tissue, allowing absorption into the bloodstream without going through the GI system. In contrast, oral medications go through the digestive tract, topical medications are applied to the skin for local effect, and inhaled medications are breathed into the lungs; none of these are injections, so they’re not parenteral.