What dosage form involves inserting a plastic tube through the nose to the stomach?

The dosage form that involves inserting a plastic tube through the nose to the stomach is known as a naso-gastric (NG) tube. This method is used for various medical purposes, such as providing nutrition to patients who are unable to eat by mouth, administering medications, or removing stomach contents. The NG tube is specifically designed to pass through the nasal passages, down the esophagus, and into the stomach, allowing for direct access to the gastrointestinal tract.

In contrast, intradermal administration involves injecting substances into the dermal layer of the skin and is typically used for allergy tests or vaccinations. Intravenous administration refers to delivering medications directly into the bloodstream via a vein, which provides rapid effects but does not involve the gastrointestinal tract. Subcutaneous injections are administered into the layer of fat just beneath the skin, often used for insulin delivery or certain vaccines, and also do not involve the stomach or the nasal route. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the naso-gastric option is the correct answer, as it uniquely describes a technique specifically geared toward feeding through a tube that enters the body through the nose.