A 5-year-old child is brought to the hospital with the complaint of fever, cough, breathlessness and  chest  pain.  On  examination  he  is  found  to  be  dull,  but  irritable  with  fast  pulse  (116/min), rapid breathing (RR 50/min) and indrawing of lower chest during inspiration, wheezing, crepitations and  mild  dehydration.  Body  temperature  is  40°C  (104°F).  The  paediatrician  makes  a  provisional diagnosis of acute pneumonia and orders relevant haematological as well as bacteriological investigations.  He  decides  to  institute  antibiotic  therapy.In case he selects an antibiotic which can be given orally as well as by i.m. or i.v. injection,which  route  of  administration  will  be  most  appropriate  in  this  case?
Since the child is seriously ill, a fast and more predictable action of the antibiotic is needed; a parenteral route of administration is appropriate. Moreover, oral dosing may be difficult in  this  case  as  the  child  is  dull  and  irritable.  Entering  a  vein  for  i.v.  injection  is  relatively difficult  in  children,  particularly  in  the  presence  of  dehydration.  Therefore,  the  antibiotic may  be  injected  i.m.  However, if  an i.v.  line  is  set  up  for  rehydration, the antibiotic may be administered  through  the  i.v.  line.
Oral
i.m.
i.v.
s.c.