Which statement about topical anesthetic agents is true?

Topical anesthetic agents are designed to provide localized numbing of surface tissues, and their concentration is typically much higher than that of injectable anesthetics due to the need to achieve effective anesthesia with surface application. This concentrated formulation allows for a faster onset of anesthesia since the agents must penetrate the tissue to block nerve conduction at the mucous surface.

The design and formulation of topical anesthetics aim to enhance their efficacy on the surface layers of the skin or mucous membranes, facilitating procedures that require rapid analgesia without the need for injections. The concentration is crucial because it compensates for their limited ability to penetrate deeper tissues compared to injectable anesthetics. Therefore, it is accurate to state that topical anesthetic agents are highly concentrated, as this characteristic is essential for their intended use in providing effective surface-level anesthesia.