Which abbreviation indicates administration by mouth?

Which abbreviation indicates administration by mouth?

• A. IV
• B. PO
• C. PC
• D. AC

Answer: (B)

The main idea is understanding how drugs are given. PO stands for per os, meaning by mouth. When a medication is administered orally, it’s swallowed and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, often with a slower onset and potential first-pass metabolism in the liver. Other options indicate different things: IV means intravenous, which is injected directly into a vein for rapid effect. The remaining abbreviations refer to timing relative to meals (before or after eating) rather than the route of administration, so they don’t indicate how the drug is given.

The main idea is understanding how drugs are given. PO stands for per os, meaning by mouth. When a medication is administered orally, it’s swallowed and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, often with a slower onset and potential first-pass metabolism in the liver.

Other options indicate different things: IV means intravenous, which is injected directly into a vein for rapid effect. The remaining abbreviations refer to timing relative to meals (before or after eating) rather than the route of administration, so they don’t indicate how the drug is given.