Which of the following medication routes does a medical assistant administer topically?

Subcutaneous administration involves injecting medication into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin, which is not considered a topical method. This route is typically used for medications that require systemic effects but are not applied directly to the skin surface.

Intramuscular administration involves injecting medication directly into a muscle, which provides a faster absorption rate compared to subcutaneous injections but does not involve topical application. This route is used for vaccines and medications that require immediate systemic effects.

Percutaneous administration refers to methods that involve the penetration of the skin to deliver medications, including injections or certain types of topical applications. However, it is not exclusively synonymous with the topical route, as it can also involve procedures like injections that do not apply medication directly to the skin for absorption.