Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What method involves delivering a medication as a vapor or aerosol?

1. Topical

2. Enteral

3. Inhalation

4. Parenteral

The correct answer is: Inhalation

The method that involves delivering medication as a vapor or aerosol is inhalation. This route allows the medication to be absorbed directly through the lungs, providing rapid systemic effects and making it particularly effective for respiratory conditions. Inhalation is commonly used for medications such as bronchodilators and anesthetics, taking advantage of the large surface area of the alveoli in the lungs for quick absorption into the bloodstream. Topical administration involves applying medication directly to the skin or mucous membranes, while enteral refers to delivering medication through the gastrointestinal tract, typically orally. Parenteral administration denotes the delivery of medication through injections, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract entirely. Each of these methods has distinct applications and advantages, depending on the desired effect and speed of action.