Kentucky Medication Aide (KMA) State Practice Exam

Which route of drug administration provides the fastest absorption?

1. Oral

2. Sublingual/Buccal

3. Intravenous

4. Intramuscular

The correct answer is: Sublingual/Buccal

The fastest route of drug administration, providing the quickest absorption into the bloodstream, is through intravenous administration. When a drug is injected directly into the bloodstream via the intravenous route, it bypasses the absorption barriers present in other routes, such as the digestive system or muscle tissue, allowing for immediate availability of the medication for systemic effects. Sublingual or buccal administration does allow for rapid absorption as the drug is placed under the tongue or between the gum and cheek, where it dissolves and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream via the oral mucosa. However, this route does not surpass the speed of intravenous administration. Oral administration requires the medication to pass through the gastrointestinal tract, which involves dissolution, absorption through the intestinal wall, and then entry into the bloodstream, significantly delaying its effectiveness compared to intravenous methods. Intramuscular injections allow for faster absorption than oral but are still not as immediate as intravenous delivery, as the drug must still diffuse into the bloodstream from the muscle tissue. Thus, intravenous administration stands out as the route providing the fastest absorption due to its direct entry into circulation.