Route of administration that is highly concentrated & if used incorrectly can lead to serious poisoning?

• A. oral
• B. topical
• C. inhalation
• D. intravenous

Answer: (A)

Exposure through swallowing a substance in a highly concentrated form can deliver a large dose quickly, making ingestion a high-risk route for serious poisoning when misused. The digestive system absorbs many toxins efficiently, and a concentrated oral dose can overwhelm the body's detoxification and defense mechanisms, leading to wide-ranging toxic effects on organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and nervous system.

Topical exposure relies on skin absorption, which is usually slower and often limited by the barrier function unless the substance is caustic or very lipophilic. Inhalation toxicity depends on the concentration of airborne toxin and ventilation, which can be variable. Intravenous exposure delivers the agent directly into the bloodstream, causing rapid systemic effects, but it involves administration rather than a form that is simply ingested in a concentrated product.