Topical medication administration is described as?

• A. Medication is swallowed and enters circulation
• B. Medication is injected into a muscle
• C. Medication is inhaled into the lungs
• D. Medication is applied to the skin with gloved hands or via a dermal patch

Answer: (D)

Topical administration means applying medication to the surface of the body—usually the skin—so it acts locally where it’s applied, and sometimes is absorbed through the skin to have a wider, even systemic effect. It includes creams, ointments, gels, and dermal patches. Using gloved hands helps keep the medication clean and prevents contamination, while a dermal patch delivers the drug gradually through the skin over time. This is different from swallowing a pill (oral administration), injecting into a muscle (intramuscular), or inhaling into the lungs (inhalation), which involve other routes and effects. So applying medication to the skin with gloves or via a patch accurately describes topical administration.