What is a transdermal route of medication administration?

The transdermal route of medication administration involves delivering medication through the skin using a patch. This method allows the medication to be absorbed systematically into the bloodstream over an extended period. It is particularly beneficial for patients who may have difficulty taking oral medications or require a continuous dose of medication, as the patch can provide a consistent release of the drug over time without the need for frequent dosing.

In contrast, the other options represent different routes of administration. Oral medications involve swallowing the drug with water and are absorbed through the digestive system. Intramuscular injections deliver medication directly into the muscle, providing a fast onset of action but requiring needles and more invasive techniques. Sublingual tablets are placed under the tongue, allowing for direct absorption into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, but they do not utilize the skin for medication delivery like transdermal patches do. Therefore, the correct answer accurately reflects the definition and method of transdermal medication administration.