Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What does the term "enteral administration" refer to?

1. Intravenous injection

2. Administration through the GI tract

3. Topical application

4. Inhalation method

The correct answer is: Administration through the GI tract

Enteral administration refers specifically to the delivery of substances directly into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This method encompasses various routes, such as oral ingestion, rectal suppositories, and feeding tubes. The key characteristic of enteral administration is that it involves the absorption of the administered substances through the digestive system, allowing for nutrients, medications, or fluids to enter the bloodstream via the intestinal lining. In contrast, intravenous injection involves delivering substances directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the GI tract entirely. Topical application pertains to substances applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes and is not related to the GI system. Lastly, the inhalation method involves administering substances through the respiratory system, again bypassing the digestive tract. These distinctions highlight why enteral administration is specifically and correctly defined as involving the gastrointestinal tract.