Which medication administration route requires monitoring for skin reactions?

The topical route requires monitoring for skin reactions because this method involves applying medications directly to the skin or mucous membranes. When medications are absorbed through the skin, there is a potential for local reactions at the application site. These reactions can include redness, itching, swelling, or irritation, which necessitate close observation to ensure that the patient does not experience adverse effects.

In contrast, the other routes of administration—oral, inhalation, and intramuscular—do not typically involve direct skin exposure. Oral medications are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, inhaled medications enter via the respiratory system, and intramuscular injections are delivered deep into muscle tissue, with each method having distinct monitoring requirements that do not focus on skin reactions. Thus, monitoring for skin reactions is specifically relevant to the topical route.