Word parts
What it means
Describes drugs, fluids or nutrition that go into the body without passing through the stomach and intestines. The main parenteral routes are intravenous (IVeye-vee (said as letters)Intravenous: into a vein, or the tube placed in a vein to give fluids and drugs.intra- insideven/o vein-ous relating toFull entry ), intramuscularin-truh-MUS-kyoo-lerInto a muscle; used for a drug given by injection into muscle tissue.intra- insidemuscul/o muscle-ar relating toFull entry , subcutaneoussub-kyoo-TAY-nee-usUnder the skin; in the fatty layer between the skin and the muscle.sub- undercutane/o skin-ous relating toFull entry and intradermal. Parenteral drugs act faster than oral ones, and once given they cannot be taken back. total parenteral nutritionTOH-tul puh-REN-ter-ul noo-TRISH-unComplete nutrition given as a liquid straight into a vein instead of through the digestive tract.par- beside, beyondenter/o intestine-al relating toFull entry is feeding given through a vein.
For the nurse
Parenteral routes need a sterile technique and the right needle, site and angle for each route. Check the order, the dose and the route carefully: a dose meant for a muscle or under the skin can be dangerous in a vein.
In a chart
"Unable to take oral medications; parenteral antiemetic ordered."
Remember it
Par-enteral: apart from the enteral (gut) route.
At a glance
| Spanish | parenteral |
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Related terms
subcutaneous
Under the skin; in the fatty layer between the skin and the muscle.
enter/o
A word part that means intestine, usually the small intestine.
intramuscular
Into a muscle; used for a drug given by injection into muscle tissue.
total parenteral nutrition
Complete nutrition given as a liquid straight into a vein instead of through the digestive tract.
IV
Intravenous: into a vein, or the tube placed in a vein to give fluids and drugs.
para-
A word beginning that means beside, near, beyond or abnormal.