The term 'p.o.' indicates medication administration by which route?

The term 'p.o.' indicates medication administration by which route?

• A. Intravenous
• B. By Mouth
• C. Rectally
• D. Topically

Answer: (B)

p.o. means per os, Latin for by mouth. This designation tells you to administer the medicine by swallowing it so it enters the digestive tract. It’s different from intravenous, which delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream; rectally, which is via the rectum; and topical, which is applied to the skin. Oral administration is very common and convenient, but its onset and amount absorbed can vary with factors like food in the stomach and first-pass metabolism in the liver.

p.o. means per os, Latin for by mouth. This designation tells you to administer the medicine by swallowing it so it enters the digestive tract. It’s different from intravenous, which delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream; rectally, which is via the rectum; and topical, which is applied to the skin. Oral administration is very common and convenient, but its onset and amount absorbed can vary with factors like food in the stomach and first-pass metabolism in the liver.