IM stands for which route of administration?

• A. Intravenous
• B. Intraoral
• C. Inhalation
• D. Intramuscular

Answer: (D)

IM stands for intramuscular. That means the drug is injected into a muscle, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the muscle’s capillaries. The absorption is faster than some routes but slower than intravenous delivery, because the medicine must travel from the muscle into the circulation. This contrasts with intravenous administration, which delivers directly into a vein; intraoral administration, which is into the mouth; and inhalation, which is breathed into the lungs. Knowing this helps you match the route to how quickly and where the drug acts.