Question

bupivacaine is a widely used local anesthetic agent which is delivered by epidural injection during childbirth. epidural injection is a route of administration in which a drug is injected into the epidural space of the spinal cord and can be used to relieve pain during childbirth. the main advantage of epidural administration of bupivacaine mixed with small amounts of another hormone, epinephrine, is that the treatment produces a local effect, rather than a systemic one, so patients do not lose the ability to control movement in any part of the body. an epidural injection is an example of _______ route of administration.
○ a transdermal
○ a parenteral
○ a topical
○ an enteral

Explanation:

1. Analyze each option:

• Transdermal: Involves drug delivery through the skin (e.g., patches), not injection. Eliminate this.
• Parenteral: Routes of drug administration that bypass the gastrointestinal tract, including injections (intravenous, intramuscular, epidural, etc.). Epidural injection is an injection, so it fits parenteral.
• Topical: Application to body surfaces (e.g., skin, mucous membranes) for local effect, not injection into a space like epidural. Eliminate this.
• Enteral: Involves the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., oral, rectal), but epidural injection is not related to the GI tract. Eliminate this.

Answer:

B. a parenteral