Which route involves medications absorbed through nasal passages, the oral passage, or endotracheal/tracheotomy tubes?

Which route involves medications absorbed through nasal passages, the oral passage, or endotracheal/tracheotomy tubes?

• A. Inhalation route
• B. Mucus membrane route
• C. Buccal route
• D. Sublingual route

Answer: (A)

Absorption through the respiratory tract is the inhalation route. This includes medications delivered by breathing them in, which can occur via nasal passages, through the oral cavity as the drug is inhaled into the airway, or through endotracheal/tracheotomy tubes in patients who are intubated. The key idea is drugs enter the bloodstream by crossing the mucosa of the airways and alveoli as they are inhaled, rather than being absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth or under the tongue. That’s why inhalation best fits a route involving nasal passages, the oral passage, and airway tubes. In contrast, buccal or sublingual routes use the oral mucosa inside the cheek or under the tongue and do not involve the nasal passages or airway tubes.

Absorption through the respiratory tract is the inhalation route. This includes medications delivered by breathing them in, which can occur via nasal passages, through the oral cavity as the drug is inhaled into the airway, or through endotracheal/tracheotomy tubes in patients who are intubated. The key idea is drugs enter the bloodstream by crossing the mucosa of the airways and alveoli as they are inhaled, rather than being absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth or under the tongue. That’s why inhalation best fits a route involving nasal passages, the oral passage, and airway tubes. In contrast, buccal or sublingual routes use the oral mucosa inside the cheek or under the tongue and do not involve the nasal passages or airway tubes.