When a medication is ordered to be given in the buccal cavity, how is it given?

When a medication is ordered to be given in the buccal cavity, it is administered by placing the medication in the cheek "pocket." This method utilizes the lining of the cheeks for absorption, allowing the medication to enter the bloodstream effectively without first passing through the digestive system. This route is advantageous for certain medications that need to take effect rapidly or that are poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

In contrast, the other options outline different routes of administration that are not classified as buccal. Administering a medication by mouth refers to swallowing it, which is not the same as placing it in the buccal cavity. Placing medication under the tongue describes the sublingual route, allowing for rapid absorption, which differs from the buccal method. Finally, instilling medication in the nasal cavity is a completely different route that targets nasal tissues rather than the buccal cavity. Hence, placing medication in the cheek pocket is the most appropriate method for buccal administration.