Master Canadian Nursing Abbreviations 2025 - Free Nursing Abbreviation Practice Questions and Study Guide

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What does "SL" mean in terms of medication routes?

Subcutaneously

Sublingual

The abbreviation "SL" stands for "sublingual," which refers to a medication route where a drug is placed under the tongue. This allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream through the rich supply of blood vessels in that area, enabling quicker onset of action compared to some other routes. Sublingual medications bypass the digestive system and first-pass metabolism in the liver, which can result in more efficient delivery of the drug. This method is commonly used for immediate relief medications, such as nitroglycerin for chest pain.

In contrast, subcutaneously refers to a route of administration where medication is injected into the fatty tissue beneath the skin, which is not indicated by "SL." Superficially implies application on the surface of the skin, and systemically refers to the administration that affects the entire body, neither of which are defined by the abbreviation "SL."

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Superficially

Systemically

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