Sublingual administration means placing a drug where?

• A. Under the tongue
• B. In the nose
• C. On the skin
• D. In the ear

Answer: (A)

Sublingual administration means placing a drug under the tongue where it dissolves and is absorbed directly through the oral mucosa into the bloodstream. This route provides rapid onset because the tissue under the tongue has a rich blood supply and it bypasses the digestive system and first-pass metabolism by the liver. For fast-acting meds like nitroglycerin, this quick absorption is crucial for timely relief of chest pain. Remember not to chew or swallow the tablet; let it dissolve. The other options refer to different routes—intranasal via the nose, topical or transdermal on the skin, and otic in the ear—which have distinct absorption patterns and are not sublingual.