Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Oral medications are classified as systemic drugs because they enter the bloodstream and have a widespread effect on the body. When a medication is taken orally, it is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and then distributed throughout the body via the circulatory system. This allows for the treatment of conditions that may not be confined to one specific area, affecting multiple systems or the whole body.

In contrast, topical medications are applied directly to a specific area and primarily affect the surface or underlying tissues of that area. Local medications are also limited in their action, targeting specific locations rather than having systemic effects. Inhaled medications reach the lungs directly and provide effects primarily in the respiratory system. Thus, the classification of oral medications as systemic is accurate due to their method of absorption and overall effect.