Medication Administration: A Comprehensive Guide for Nursing Students

Question 1

Which route of medication administration is optimal for rapid absorption and large fluid volumes?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Intramuscular (IM)

Answer

Subcutaneous (SQ)

Question 2

What is the nurse's primary responsibility in the medication administration process?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring patient safety and therapeutic effects of medications

Answer

Calculating and verifying medication dosages

Answer

Preparing medications for administration

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of performing a medication reconciliation?

Accepted Answer

To identify and resolve discrepancies in a patient's medication regimen

Answer

To create a complete and accurate list of medications the patient is taking

Answer

To monitor the patient's adherence to their medication regimen

Question 4

Which nursing intervention is most effective in preventing medication errors?

Accepted Answer

Adhering to the Five Rights of Medication Administration (patient, medication, dose, route, time)

Answer

Utilizing technology for double-checking medications

Answer

Educating patients about their prescribed medications

Question 5

What is the appropriate immediate action to take if a medication error occurs?

Accepted Answer

Document the error and promptly report it to the appropriate healthcare professional

Answer

Administer the missed dose to the patient as soon as possible

Answer

Ignore the error if it is deemed insignificant

Question 6

Which route of medication administration provides the fastest onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Oral

Question 7

When selecting the injection site for intramuscular injections, which muscle is generally preferred?

Accepted Answer

Ventrogluteal

Answer

Dorsogluteal

Answer

Vastus lateralis

Answer

Deltoid

Question 8

Which fundamental principle of medication administration prioritizes the well-being of patients?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring patient safety

Answer

Following physician orders precisely

Answer

Minimizing potential medication errors

Answer

Promoting overall patient comfort

Question 9

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of safe medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time

Answer

Patient education before medication administration

Answer

Monitoring for adverse reactions

Answer

Documentation of all medication administration

Question 10

Which route of medication administration provides the fastest systemic absorption?

Accepted Answer

Intramuscular injection

Answer

Subcutaneous injection

Answer

Oral administration

Answer

Rectal administration

Question 11

What is an appropriate nursing action when a patient declines to take a prescribed medication?

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and inform the healthcare provider

Answer

Administer the medication without the patient's consent

Answer

Coerce the patient into taking the medication

Answer

Ignore the patient's refusal and proceed with medication administration

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a medication classified as high-alert?

Accepted Answer

Heparin

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Albuterol

Question 13

What is the primary purpose of calculating and administering medications based on a patient's body weight?

Accepted Answer

To ensure accurate dosage for the patient's size

Answer

To reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions

Answer

To enhance the medication's effectiveness

Answer

To comply with hospital policy

Question 14

Which of the following is not a responsibility of a nurse in patient education on medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Prescribing medications

Answer

Providing clear and accurate information about medications

Answer

Involving the patient in medication decision-making

Answer

Assessing the patient's knowledge and understanding of medications

Question 15

Which principle is NOT essential for safe medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Verifying the medication order with a single nurse

Answer

Accurately assessing the patient's allergies and current medications

Answer

Documenting the medication administration promptly after it is given

Answer

Checking the patient's identity using two patient identifiers

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT considered a medication error?

Accepted Answer

Documenting an incorrect medication administration time

Answer

Administering the incorrect dosage of a medication

Answer

Giving the correct medication at an incorrect time

Answer

Omitting a scheduled medication

Question 17

As a nurse, your utmost responsibility during medication administration is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure the safety and well-being of the patient receiving the medication.

Answer

Follow the prescribed medication orders without question.

Answer

Educate the patient about the medication's usage and potential side effects.

Answer

Document the medication administration accurately and thoroughly.

Question 18

What is the initial step in the medication administration process?

Accepted Answer

Assessing the patient's condition and medication history

Answer

Verifying the medication order against the prescriber's instructions

Answer

Preparing the medication for administration

Answer

Administering the medication to the patient

Question 19

What is the primary function of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump?

Accepted Answer

To enable patients to self-administer pain medication as needed

Answer

To deliver a continuous infusion of pain medication

Answer

To prevent medication errors

Answer

To monitor the patient's pain levels

Question 20

To calculate a medication dosage based on a patient's weight in kilograms, what mathematical operation should you perform using the prescribed dosage in milligrams per kilogram?

Accepted Answer

Multiply the patient's weight by the medication dose.

Answer

Divide the patient's weight by the medication dose.

Answer

The calculation method varies based on the patient's age.

Answer

Patient height is required for this calculation.

Question 21

Which of the following is a primary goal of medication administration?

Accepted Answer

To ensure patient safety and optimize patient outcomes.

Answer

To ensure patient safety

Question 22

When administering medications via the intramuscular route, which of the following is the preferred injection site?

Accepted Answer

Ventrogluteal muscle.

Answer

Deltoid muscle

Question 23

Which of the following is a legal requirement for medication administration in the United States?

Accepted Answer

All of the above: Nurse Practice Act, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards.

Answer

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations

Question 24

What is the proper procedure for administering an intravenous (IV) push medication?

Accepted Answer

All of the above: Inject the medication slowly over several minutes, Flush the IV line with saline before and after the medication, Monitor the patient for adverse reactions.

Answer

Flush the IV line with saline before and after the medication

Question 25

Which of the following medications requires special handling due to its potential for abuse?

Accepted Answer

Hydrocodone.

Answer

Ibuprofen

Question 26

What is the purpose of the "Five Rights" of medication administration?

Accepted Answer

All of the above: To ensure that the right patient receives the right medication, To minimize medication errors, To enhance patient safety.

Answer

To minimize medication errors

Question 27

When administering oral medications, the patient should be positioned:

Accepted Answer

Sitting upright

Answer

Lying flat on their back

Answer

Lying on their side

Answer

Sitting with their head tilted back

Question 28

The primary purpose of the medication administration record (MAR) is to:

Accepted Answer

Track medication administration history

Answer

Document patient allergies

Answer

Calculate medication dosages

Answer

Verify medication orders

Question 29

According to the Joint Commission, the maximum acceptable number of medication errors is:

Accepted Answer

0

Answer

1

Answer

2

Answer

3

Question 30

The purpose of a medication vial cap is to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent contamination

Answer

Indicate the drug's potency

Answer

Track medication administration time

Answer

Prevent medication errors

Question 31

What is medication reconciliation and why is it crucial in patient care?

Accepted Answer

Medication reconciliation is comparing a patient's medication orders across healthcare settings to ensure accuracy and prevent errors.

Answer

Medication reconciliation is only done when a patient is discharged from the hospital.

Answer

Medication reconciliation is solely the responsibility of the pharmacist.

Question 32

The first step in the medication administration process is:

Accepted Answer

Verifying the patient's identity

Answer

Calculating the dosage

Answer

Preparing the medication

Answer

Documenting the administration

Question 33

The medication error that involves giving the correct medication to the wrong patient is called:

Accepted Answer

Patient identification error

Answer

Dosage error

Answer

Route error

Answer

Frequency error

Question 34

The most rapid route of medication administration is:

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Oral

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a potential side effect of medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Improved mood

Answer

Nausea

Answer

Allergic reaction

Answer

Increased blood pressure

Question 36

What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation?

Accepted Answer

To identify and prevent medication errors

Answer

To ensure continuity of medication therapy

Answer

To reduce medication costs

Answer

To improve patient compliance

Question 37

Which route of medication administration is preferred for the most rapid onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Oral

Question 38

Which of the following is a legal requirement for administering medications?

Accepted Answer

Written physician's order

Answer

Verbal order

Answer

Patient's consent

Answer

Nurse's discretion

Question 39

What system is typically used for calculating medication dosages?

Accepted Answer

Metric system

Answer

Apothecary system

Answer

Imperial system

Answer

Household measures

Question 40

Which route of medication administration is most commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 41

Which of the following medications requires special administration considerations for patients with renal impairment?

Accepted Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Albuterol

Answer

Ibuprofen

Question 42

What is the most important factor to consider when selecting a site for subcutaneous injection?

Accepted Answer

Absence of infection or lesions

Answer

Size of the injection volume

Answer

Proximity to major blood vessels

Answer

Thickness of the subcutaneous tissue

Question 43

What is the purpose of documenting medication administration?

Accepted Answer

To provide a legal record of the medication given

Answer

To remind the nurse of the next dose

Answer

To justify the medication order

Answer

To track the patient's response to the medication

Question 44

Which of the following is a strategy to minimize medication errors?

Accepted Answer

Using technology-assisted medication administration systems

Answer

Relying solely on memory

Answer

Administering medications in a hurry

Question 45

A nurse is administering a medication to a patient who has difficulty swallowing. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Crush the medication if appropriate and mix it with a small amount of applesauce.

Answer

Offer the patient a large amount of water to help swallow.

Answer

Administer the medication via the IV route.

Question 46

A nurse is reviewing a patient's medication order. The order states 'morphine sulfate 2 mg IV push every 4 hours as needed for pain'. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient's pain level.

Answer

Educate the patient about the medication's side effects.

Answer

Document the medication administration in the patient's chart.

Answer

Prepare the medication for administration.

Question 47

A nurse is administering a medication that has a narrow therapeutic index. Which of the following actions is most important for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Monitor the patient closely for adverse effects.

Answer

Administer the medication slowly over 5 minutes.

Answer

Verify the medication's expiration date.

Answer

Document the medication administration in the patient's chart.

Question 48

A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a patient who is allergic to penicillin. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

Check the patient's allergy bracelet and medical record.

Answer

Administer an antihistamine.

Answer

Notify the physician immediately.

Question 49

A nurse is administering a medication to a patient who is receiving enteral feedings. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Hold the enteral feeding for 30 minutes before and after medication administration.

Answer

Administer the medication via the IV route.

Answer

Crush the medication and mix it with the enteral feeding.

Question 50

A patient is prescribed a medication to be administered intravenously (IV). Which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize before administering the IV medication?

Accepted Answer

Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers.

Answer

Check the medication's expiration date.

Answer

Document the medication administration in the patient's chart.

Question 51

A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the subcutaneous route. Which of the following sites is most appropriate for this route?

Accepted Answer

Abdomen

Answer

Gluteus maximus muscle

Answer

Deltoid muscle

Question 52

A patient is prescribed a medication with a dosage of 500 mg. The medication is available in 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?

Accepted Answer

2 tablets

Answer

3 tablets

Answer

1 tablet

Question 53

Which of the following is a legal consideration related to medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Following the six rights of medication administration.

Answer

Monitoring the patient's response to medication.

Answer

Using aseptic technique when preparing medications.

Question 54

A patient reports experiencing nausea and vomiting after receiving a medication. What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient's vital signs.

Answer

Document the adverse effect in the patient's chart.

Answer

Administer an antiemetic medication.

Question 55

A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the intramuscular (IM) route. Which of the following is a key consideration for selecting the appropriate IM injection site?

Accepted Answer

Muscle mass and volume

Answer

Medication's viscosity

Answer

Patient's weight

Answer

Patient's age

Question 56

A nurse is administering a medication via the oral route. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure safe medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient's ability to swallow.

Answer

Crush the medication if necessary.

Answer

Administer the medication on an empty stomach.

Answer

Administer the medication with a full glass of water.

Question 57

What is the primary purpose of the 'six rights of medication administration'?

Accepted Answer

To reduce medication errors and ensure patient safety.

Answer

To document medication administration accurately.

Answer

To ensure the medication is administered on time.

Question 58

A nurse is administering a medication that is known to cause drowsiness. What is the most important nursing intervention to implement after administering the medication?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient's level of consciousness and alertness.

Answer

Document the medication administration in the patient's chart.

Answer

Educate the patient about the medication's side effects.

Question 59

A patient is prescribed a medication that is incompatible with another medication the patient is currently taking. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Contact the healthcare provider to discuss the medication order.

Answer

Administer the medication as prescribed.

Answer

Hold the medication and document the reason in the patient's chart.