Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam

Medication applied in patch form is called what?

1. Transdermal

2. Intramuscular

3. Topical

4. Oral

The correct answer is: Transdermal

Transdermal medication refers specifically to drugs that are absorbed through the skin via a patch. These patches are designed to deliver a controlled dose of medication over a prolonged period. This method allows the medication to bypass the digestive system and liver metabolism, providing a consistent release of the drug into the bloodstream. In contrast, other options like intramuscular refer to injections given directly into a muscle, while topical application involves creams or ointments applied to the skin's surface, which may not necessarily be absorbed into the bloodstream. Oral administration involves taking medication by mouth. Thus, transdermal is the most accurate term for medications delivered through a patch.