National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Sublingual administration involves which of the following?

1. Injecting into the muscle

2. Dissolving the substance under the tongue

3. Inserting into the rectum

4. Applying to the skin

The correct answer is: Dissolving the substance under the tongue

Sublingual administration refers to the method of taking medication or substances by placing them under the tongue, where they dissolve and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. This route allows for rapid absorption and onset of effects because the highly vascular nature of the tissue under the tongue facilitates quick entry into systemic circulation. This method is commonly used for various medications, including certain anti-anxiety drugs and some cardiovascular medications, providing advantages over oral administration which may require digestion and longer onset times. The other methods, such as injecting into the muscle, inserting into the rectum, or applying to the skin, involve different routes of administration that do not describe the sublingual method.