Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

In wildlife rehabilitation, what does IP indicate?

1. Intramuscular

2. Intraosseous

3. Intraperitoneal

4. Oral, by the mouth

The correct answer is: Intraperitoneal

In wildlife rehabilitation, the term IP stands for intraperitoneal. This route of administration is used for delivering fluids or medications directly into the peritoneal cavity, which is the area within the abdomen that houses vital organs. Using the intraperitoneal method is particularly beneficial in cases where other routes might be difficult or impractical, such as in small animals or those that are difficult to restrain. This approach allows for rapid absorption of the administered substances into the bloodstream, offering a quick response for hydration or medication in emergencies. The other options denote different routes of administration but do not fit the abbreviation IP. Intramuscular refers to an injection into the muscle, intraosseous entails delivering substances directly into the bone marrow, and oral indicates that substances are given by mouth. Each of these routes has its specific applications and considerations, but only intraperitoneal is represented by the abbreviation IP in this context.