Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

Where are sublingual medications placed?

1. On the gums

2. Under the tongue

3. On the roof of the mouth

4. At the back of the throat

The correct answer is: Under the tongue

Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue. This route allows for rapid absorption directly into the bloodstream through the rich supply of blood vessels located there. The formulation of sublingual medications is specifically designed to dissolve quickly and be absorbed efficiently, providing quicker therapeutic effects compared to oral medications that must pass through the digestive system first. This method is often used for certain cardiovascular drugs and other medications that require fast action or that may be poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. The other options involve areas of the mouth where medications would not be effectively absorbed in the same manner, which is why those routes are not suitable for sublingual administration.