Which statement accurately differentiates enteral and parenteral medication administration?

A. Enteral medications use the gastrointestinal tract, while parenteral medications bypass the gastrointestinal tract is correct because enteral administration includes oral, sublingual, and rectal routes, which rely on the GI tract for absorption. Parenteral administration, such as intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or subcutaneous (SC), delivers medication directly into the body tissues or bloodstream, bypassing the GI tract for faster and more controlled absorption. B. Parenteral medications are absorbed the slowest because they move through the GI tract is incorrect because parenteral medications bypass the GI tract and are usually absorbed faster than enteral medications, especially when given intravenously. C. Enteral medications are administered through injections, while parenteral medications are taken by mouth is incorrect because this reverses the definitions. Enteral is via the GI tract (mouth, rectum), and parenteral is via injections or other non-GI routes. D. Parenteral medications must always be administered orally or sublingually is incorrect because oral and sublingual routes are enteral, not parenteral. Parenteral routes include IV, IM, SC, intradermal, and sometimes intraosseous or epidural.