Which term describes medications that enter the body through the digestive tract?

Which term describes medications that enter the body through the digestive tract?

• A. Enteral
• B. Parenteral
• C. Intravenous
• D. Inhalation

Answer: (A)

Enteral describes medications that enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract. This includes drugs given by mouth or by rectal routes, where the substance travels through the gut and is absorbed there. It’s contrasted with parenteral routes, which bypass the digestive system and deliver drugs by injection (such as intravenous), and with inhalation, which absorbs through the lungs. Therefore, the term that fits is enteral, covering oral and rectal administration where the GI tract is involved.

Enteral describes medications that enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract. This includes drugs given by mouth or by rectal routes, where the substance travels through the gut and is absorbed there. It’s contrasted with parenteral routes, which bypass the digestive system and deliver drugs by injection (such as intravenous), and with inhalation, which absorbs through the lungs. Therefore, the term that fits is enteral, covering oral and rectal administration where the GI tract is involved.