Which medication form requires the patient to dissolve it under the tongue?

The correct response is based on the specific action required for sublingual tablets. These tablets are designed to be placed under the tongue, where they dissolve rapidly and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. This method allows for a quick onset of action compared to other oral forms of medication, as it bypasses the digestive system and the first-pass metabolism in the liver.

In contrast, chewable tablets are meant to be chewed before swallowing, enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in the small intestine rather than in the stomach to protect the drug from gastric acids, and topical creams are applied to the skin for local absorption rather than involving sublingual administration. Thus, sublingual tablets specifically require dissolution under the tongue for effective delivery of medication.