Define enteral vs parenteral routes and give an example of each.

• A. Enteral uses GI tract; Parenteral bypasses it
• B. Enteral uses IV; Parenteral uses oral
• C. Enteral includes inhalation; Parenteral includes transdermal
• D. Enteral is subcutaneous; Parenteral is rectal

Answer: (A)

Enteral routes involve absorption through the gastrointestinal tract. An example is taking a pill by mouth, where the drug dissolves in the stomach or intestines and then enters the bloodstream. Parenteral routes bypass the GI tract, delivering medication directly into systemic circulation or tissues; an IV injection is a classic example.

The statement that enteral uses the GI tract and parenteral bypasses it is the best answer because it matches how these routes behave in the body. The other options mix in incorrect pairings, such as IV being enteral or oral being parenteral, and they also misclassify routes like inhalation, transdermal, subcutaneous, and rectal in ways that don’t align with the standard definitions.