A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a group of nurses about the administration of nitroglycerin. Which of the following routes of administration provides the most rapid onset for the client?

A. Transdermal patches provide continuous, long-term delivery of nitroglycerin but have a slow onset and are not suitable for rapid relief of acute angina. B. Sustained-release formulations are designed for extended effect and do not provide rapid onset; they are used for prophylaxis, not acute symptom relief. C. Sublingual administration allows nitroglycerin to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream via the mucous membranes, bypassing the liver. This provides the fastest onset of action, typically within 1–3 minutes, making it ideal for relieving acute angina episodes. D. Topical ointment provides gradual absorption and slower onset, making it less suitable for immediate relief of chest pain.