Indiana Qualified Medication Assistant (QMA) State Practice Exam

How is sublingual medication administered?

1. Placed between teeth and cheek

2. Placed under the tongue

3. Injected into the bloodstream

4. Applied to the skin

The correct answer is: Placed under the tongue

Sublingual medication is administered by placing it under the tongue. This method allows the medication to dissolve and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes in the mouth, bypassing the digestive system. This can lead to a quicker onset of action compared to oral medications, as the drugs are not subject to degradation in the stomach or liver. When medications are administered sublingually, it's important that the individual refrains from swallowing or chewing the medication, as this could hinder proper absorption. The other routes of administration mentioned do not align with the definition of sublingual administration. Medications placed between the teeth and cheek are typically considered buccal, while injections deliver substances directly into the bloodstream through a needle. Topical applications involve applying medications to the skin rather than under the tongue.