A nurse is reviewing medication for a patient with a recent myocardial infarction. The physician has prescribed aspirin. What is the primary purpose of this medication in this context?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. SQ (subcutaneous) administration involves injecting a drug into the fatty tissue under the skin. This route is slower than IV or IM administration, as the drug has to diffuse through the tissue before reaching the bloodstream.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. PO (by mouth) administration involves swallowing a drug and absorbing it through the digestive system. This route is the slowest of all, as the drug has to pass through the stomach and the liver before reaching the bloodstream. The drug may also be affected by the first pass effect, which reduces its bioavailability.

Choice C reason: This is correct. IV (intravenous) administration involves injecting a drug directly into a vein. This route is the fastest of all, as the drug enters the bloodstream immediately and reaches the target site quickly. The drug also has 100% bioavailability, meaning none of it is lost or degraded.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. IM (intramuscular) administration involves injecting a drug into a muscle. This route is faster than SQ or PO administration, as the drug can be absorbed by the capillaries in the muscle. However, it is still slower than IV administration, as the drug has to cross the muscle membrane before reaching the bloodstream.

Choice A reason: Distribution is not the correct term to describe the movement of a drug from its site of administration to the bloodstream. Distribution is the process by which a drug moves from the bloodstream to the tissues and organs of the body. Distribution depends on factors such as blood flow, tissue permeability, plasma protein binding, and tissue binding. Distribution occurs after the drug has been absorbed into the bloodstream, and it determines how much drug reaches the site of action.

Choice B reason: Metabolism is not the correct term to describe the movement of a drug from its site of administration to the bloodstream. Metabolism is the process by which a drug is chemically transformed in the body, usually by enzymes in the liver or other tissues. Metabolism can affect the activity, duration, and elimination of a drug. Metabolism occurs after the drug has been absorbed into the bloodstream, and it can occur before or after the drug reaches the site of action.

Choice C reason: Excretion is not the correct term to describe the movement of a drug from its site of administration to the bloodstream. Excretion is the process by which a drug or its metabolites are eliminated from the body. Excretion can occur through various routes, such as urine, feces, sweat, or breath. Excretion occurs after the drug has been absorbed into the bloodstream, and it can occur before or after the drug reaches the site of action.

Choice D reason: Absorption is the correct term to describe the movement of a drug from its site of administration to the bloodstream. Absorption is the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from the site of administration. Absorption depends on factors such as the route of administration, the dose, the formulation, and the bioavailability of the drug. Absorption is the first step of pharmacokinetics, and it determines how much and how fast a drug reaches the bloodstream and the site of action.