Drug Administration and Monitoring: A Comprehensive Guide for Nurses

Question 1

For a patient experiencing a seizure and unconsciousness, which route of drug administration is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 2

What is the purpose of aspirating the syringe before administering an intramuscular injection?

Accepted Answer

To prevent injection of the medication into a vein

Answer

To ensure the needle is positioned correctly in the muscle

Answer

To minimize pain and discomfort during the injection

Answer

To clear any air from the syringe

Question 3

If a patient experiences an adverse reaction such as a rash after receiving a medication, what is the priority nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Discontinue the medication and notify the healthcare provider

Answer

Apply a topical ointment to the affected area

Answer

Elevate the affected area

Answer

Administer pain medication to relieve discomfort

Question 4

What is the primary reason for calculating a patient's body mass index (BMI) before administering certain medications?

Accepted Answer

To determine the appropriate dosage

Answer

To assess nutritional status

Answer

To estimate fluid requirements

Answer

To monitor weight loss or gain

Question 5

What is the mathematical operation to calculate medication dosage per body weight?

Accepted Answer

Dosage = (Body weight x Dose per kg) / Number of doses

Answer

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of observing and implementing aseptic technique during drug administration?

Accepted Answer

To prevent infection and contamination of medications and equipment

Answer

To maintain sterility

Answer

To minimize discomfort for the patient

Answer

To ensure accurate dosage

Question 7

What is the main difference between intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) injections?

Accepted Answer

IM injections are administered deeper within muscle tissue, while SC injections are given just below the skin

Answer

Question 8

Which route of administration allows for the quickest onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Intramuscular

Question 9

You are caring for a patient weighing 150 lbs who has been prescribed 10 mg of morphine per 70 lbs of body weight. What is the appropriate dosage of morphine to administer to this patient?

Accepted Answer

11.4 mg

Answer

15 mg

Answer

21.4 mg

Question 10

What is the nurse's primary responsibility for ensuring patient safety during drug administration?

Accepted Answer

Follow the five rights of medication administration (right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time)

Answer

Document the time of medication administration

Answer

Measure the patient's blood pressure before giving medication

Question 11

In the nursing process for medication administration, which step holds the utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Confirming the patient's identity

Answer

Calculating the appropriate dosage

Answer

Administering the medication via the prescribed route

Answer

Documenting the medication administration

Question 12

Which route of administration is most commonly used for medication delivery?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular injection

Answer

Subcutaneous injection

Question 13

When determining drug dosages, which factors should be primarily considered?

Accepted Answer

Patient's weight, age, and medical history

Answer

Dosage form alone

Answer

Drug interactions alone

Answer

Time of day alone

Question 14

Which of the following is a critical adverse reaction to drug administration that requires immediate attention?

Accepted Answer

Anaphylactic reaction

Answer

Drowsiness

Answer

Nausea

Answer

Headache

Question 15

When documenting drug administration, which elements are essential to include?

Accepted Answer

Drug name, dose, route, time, and patient response

Answer

Route and time only

Answer

Patient name and age only

Answer

Drug name and dose only

Question 16

What are the key responsibilities of nurses in the context of drug administration?

Accepted Answer

Verifying orders, preparing and administering medications, and monitoring patient responses

Answer

Diagnosing patient conditions

Answer

Prescribing medications

Question 17

What is the primary objective of using aseptic techniques during medication preparation and administration?

Accepted Answer

Preventing infections

Answer

Increasing medication effectiveness

Answer

Enhancing patient comfort

Question 18

Which principle is fundamental to patient-centered drug administration?

Accepted Answer

Involving patients in decision-making

Answer

Strictly adhering to physician orders

Answer

Documenting drug administration accurately

Answer

Administering medications strictly on time

Question 19

What is the primary goal of therapeutic drug monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Optimizing drug dosages for maximum therapeutic effect

Answer

Identifying adverse drug reactions

Answer

Detecting drug-drug interactions

Question 20

What are the potential consequences of administering medications without proper monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and potential patient harm

Answer

Improved patient outcomes

Answer

Increased patient satisfaction

Question 21

In what way can technology enhance drug administration and monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Automating tasks, reducing errors, and improving overall patient safety

Answer

Increasing medication costs

Answer

Eliminating the need for nursing judgment

Question 22

Which route of administration is most commonly used for medication administration in adult patients?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Topical

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Question 23

The correct procedure for calculating an accurate oral medication dosage is to:

Accepted Answer

Multiply the patient's weight in kilograms by the milligram strength of the medication.

Answer

Divide the patient's weight in pounds by the milligram strength of the medication.

Answer

Subtract the patient's weight in pounds from the milligram strength of the medication.

Question 24

Which patient assessment should be performed prior to administering any medication?

Accepted Answer

Verifying the patient's identity, medication order, and any potential drug allergies.

Answer

Assessing the patient's pain level.

Answer

Checking the patient's pulse and respirations.

Question 25

The nurse observes that a patient is experiencing a skin rash after receiving a medication. What is the most appropriate action to take?

Accepted Answer

Document the rash, discontinue the medication, and notify the healthcare provider immediately.

Answer

Give the patient an antihistamine to treat the rash.

Answer

Ignore the rash and continue administering the medication.

Question 26

Which type of documentation is primarily used to record medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Medication Administration Record (MAR)

Answer

Progress Notes

Answer

Patient Assessment Form

Answer

Nursing Care Plan

Question 27

Which type of patient should be monitored most closely for adverse effects after receiving a new medication?

Accepted Answer

Elderly patient with multiple chronic conditions and polypharmacy.

Answer

Patient taking multiple medications

Answer

Patient with a history of allergies

Answer

Young, healthy patient with no significant medical history

Question 28

What is a primary factor to consider when determining the maximum number of patients that can be assigned to a nurse for medication administration in a hospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Hospital policy and patient acuity, including the complexity of medications and patient conditions.

Answer

5 patients

Answer

10 patients

Question 29

When preparing to administer an oral medication to a patient, what essential step should be taken to ensure the patient receives the correct medication?

Accepted Answer

Checking the drug label against the patient's medication order and verifying the patient's identification.

Answer

Asking the patient to confirm the name of the medication.

Answer

Checking the patient's identification band against their chart.

Question 30

Which of the following is a potential consequence of administering medication at an incorrect time?

Accepted Answer

Reduced therapeutic efficacy, increased side effects, or potential toxicity.

Answer

Loss of nursing license

Answer

Legal liability

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a route of administration that involves injection?

Accepted Answer

Transdermal

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Intravenous

Question 32

Which of the following is a common adverse effect of opioids such as morphine?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory depression

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Tachycardia

Question 33

Which step of the nursing process involves assessing the patient's response to medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Evaluation

Answer

Assessment

Answer

Planning

Answer

Intervention

Question 34

What is the primary purpose of calculating a patient's body surface area (BSA)?

Accepted Answer

To determine appropriate drug dosages for certain medications

Answer

To calculate nutritional requirements

Answer

To assess fluid balance

Question 35

Which device is commonly used to administer medications directly into the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Nasogastric tube

Answer

IV bag

Answer

Syringe

Question 36

What is the nurse's primary responsibility when administering medications?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the patient receives the correct medication, dose, and route of administration at the right time

Answer

To prescribe medications

Answer

To monitor patients for adverse effects

Question 37

Which route of drug administration provides the fastest onset of action and the highest bioavailability?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Oral

Question 38

When monitoring a patient for adverse reactions to medication, which of the following signs or symptoms is considered a priority for reporting?

Accepted Answer

Rapid heart rate

Answer

Constipation

Answer

Dry mouth

Answer

Nausea

Question 39

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

Accepted Answer

Documenting the five rights of medication administration

Answer

Obtaining a verbal order from the physician

Answer

Checking the patient's allergies

Question 40

What is a primary benefit of using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump?

Accepted Answer

Allows patients to self-administer pain medication when needed

Answer

Reduces nursing workload

Answer

Prevents overdosing

Answer

Eliminates the need for pain assessments

Question 41

When preparing to administer an intravenous medication, which step should be performed first?

Accepted Answer

Inspecting the medication and label for accuracy

Answer

Priming the IV tubing

Answer

Drawing up the medication

Answer

Connecting the patient to the IV

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential complication associated with enteral drug administration?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration pneumonia

Answer

Electrolyte imbalance

Answer

Skin irritation

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Question 43

When calculating a drug dosage for a pediatric patient, which method is considered the most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Body surface area

Answer

Height

Answer

Weight

Answer

Age

Question 44

A patient is prescribed 500 mg of an oral medication twice daily. The medication is available in 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the patient take per dose?

Accepted Answer

2 tablets

Answer

3 tablets

Answer

4 tablets

Answer

1 tablet

Question 45

Which route of administration allows for the fastest delivery of a drug to the bloodstream?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Oral

Answer

Intramuscular (IM)

Answer

Subcutaneous (SC)

Question 46

A patient receiving a new medication experiences shortness of breath and a rash. What should the nurse's immediate action be?

Accepted Answer

Stop the medication and notify the physician immediately.

Answer

Administer an antihistamine.

Answer

Continue the medication and monitor the patient closely.

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT a key step in the nursing process when administering medications?

Accepted Answer

Prescribing

Answer

Planning

Answer

Evaluation

Answer

Assessment

Question 48

A patient is receiving a medication known to cause drowsiness. Which nursing intervention is essential to ensure patient safety?

Accepted Answer

Educate the patient about potential side effects and advise against driving or operating machinery.

Answer

Monitor the patient's blood pressure closely.

Answer

Administer the medication at bedtime.

Question 49

Which medication order should a nurse question?

Accepted Answer

An order for a medication with a dosage exceeding the manufacturer's recommended maximum.

Answer

An order for a medication with a dosage within the manufacturer's recommended range.

Answer

An order for a medication with a route of administration commonly used for that drug.

Question 50

What is the appropriate needle length for subcutaneous injections?

Accepted Answer

5/8 inch

Answer

2 inch

Answer

1 inch

Answer

1 1/2 inch

Question 51

What does 'prn' mean in medication administration?

Accepted Answer

As needed

Answer

Before meals

Answer

Twice daily

Answer

Every hour

Question 52

Which factor is most important when choosing a site for intramuscular injections?

Accepted Answer

The patient's age, weight, and muscle mass.

Answer

The availability of a sterile needle.

Answer

The patient's preference.

Answer

The availability of a medication syringe.