Medication Administration: A Comprehensive Guide for Nurses

Question 1

First step in the '5 Rights' of medication administration:

Accepted Answer

Right patient

Answer

Right time

Answer

Right dose

Answer

Right route

Question 2

Route of administration with the most rapid absorption:

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Oral

Question 3

When a patient is vomiting, what is the initial nursing action to take before administering an oral medication?

Accepted Answer

Withhold the medication and notify the physician.

Answer

Administer the medication with a small amount of water.

Answer

Administer the medication via an alternate route.

Question 4

When administering an intramuscular injection, what is the appropriate needle length?

Accepted Answer

1 inch (2.5 cm)

Answer

1.5 inches (3.8 cm)

Answer

0.5 inches (1.3 cm)

Question 5

When administering an intramuscular (IM) injection, what is the main reason for aspirating the syringe before injecting the medication?

Accepted Answer

To ensure proper needle placement and prevent accidental injection into a blood vessel.

Answer

To dilute the medication before administering it.

Answer

To check for the patient's allergy status.

Question 6

In selecting the most suitable route for medication administration, which factor should be given primary consideration?

Accepted Answer

Patient's age and medical condition

Answer

Manufacturer's instructions

Answer

Cost of the medication

Question 7

When administering an intramuscular injection, the needle should be inserted at a ___ angle.

Accepted Answer

45 degrees

Answer

90 degrees

Answer

120 degrees

Answer

180 degrees

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of monitoring patients after medication administration?

Accepted Answer

To detect and manage adverse effects

Answer

To ensure medication effectiveness

Answer

To assess patient satisfaction

Answer

To document medication administration

Question 9

Which type of medication requires refrigeration?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Amoxicillin

Question 10

What is the first step in the medication reconciliation process?

Accepted Answer

Reviewing the patient's medication history

Answer

Comparing the patient's current medications

Answer

Identifying medication discrepancies

Answer

Developing a medication plan

Question 11

Which route of medication administration is the most commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Inhalation

Answer

Topical

Question 12

When administering a medication via the enteral route, what patient position is recommended?

Accepted Answer

Sitting upright

Answer

Lying down

Answer

Standing

Answer

Whichever position is most comfortable for the patient

Question 13

Which class of medications necessitates special handling and storage because of its potential for misuse and dependence?

Accepted Answer

Opioids

Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Antihypertensives

Answer

Antipsychotics

Question 14

Which of the following medications is typically administered intramuscularly?

Accepted Answer

Morphine

Answer

Heparin

Answer

Vancomycin

Answer

Metformin

Question 15

When administering an intravenous medication, what is a key assessment parameter to monitor for infiltration?

Accepted Answer

Pain and swelling at the injection site

Answer

Blurred vision

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Rapid heart rate

Question 16

Which nursing intervention is most effective in minimizing the risk of medication errors?

Accepted Answer

A combination of all three approaches

Answer

Employing double-checking and independent verification

Answer

Administering medications promptly

Answer

Providing comprehensive patient education

Question 17

When administering a subcutaneous injection, at what angle should the needle be inserted?

Accepted Answer

45 degrees

Answer

90 degrees

Answer

180 degrees

Answer

Obtuse angle

Question 18

Which type of medication requires specific storage conditions, such as refrigeration?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Acetaminophen

Question 19

What type of medication error involves administering the incorrect drug to a patient?

Accepted Answer

Wrong drug error

Answer

Wrong dose error

Answer

Wrong time error

Answer

Wrong route of administration error

Question 20

Which of the following nursing actions is the first step before administering a medication?

Accepted Answer

Checking the patient's identification and medication order

Answer

Preparing the medication

Answer

Calculating the correct dosage

Answer

Monitoring the patient for adverse effects

Question 21

The Z-track method of injection is used to administer medications that:

Accepted Answer

Irritate tissues

Answer

Are highly viscous

Answer

Are rapidly absorbed

Answer

Require large volumes

Question 22

Why is calculating a patient's body mass index (BMI) important before administering certain medications?

Accepted Answer

To determine appropriate medication dosage

Answer

To estimate the patient's fluid requirements

Answer

To assess the patient's nutritional status

Answer

To evaluate the patient's risk of falls

Question 23

Which of the following is the most common route of medication administration in adults?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 24

Which of the following factors is NOT considered when selecting a medication route?

Accepted Answer

Time of day

Answer

Patient's physical condition

Answer

Type and characteristics of the medication

Answer

Patient's age

Question 25

Which of the following medications is classified as a controlled substance?

Accepted Answer

Morphine

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Aspirin

Question 26

Explain the purpose and importance of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in medication administration.

Accepted Answer

Monitoring drug levels to adjust doses and ensure therapeutic effectiveness.

Answer

Verifying patient adherence to medication regimens.

Answer

Preventing drug-drug interactions and selecting appropriate dosages.

Question 27

What are the nurse's responsibilities in preventing medication errors and the legal consequences of committing them?

Accepted Answer

Ensure accurate medication administration.

Accepted Answer

Question unclear or unsafe orders.

Accepted Answer

Report medication errors to authorities.

Answer

Nurses have no legal responsibility for medication errors.

Question 28

In the United States, which of the following is a legal requirement for administering medications?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining a written order from the doctor

Accepted Answer

Recording the time and dose of medication given

Answer

Delegating medication administration to untrained and unsupervised unlicensed assistive personnel

Answer

Giving medications without patient consent or a legal exception

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a nurse during medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Informing the physician about the medication plan

Answer

Verifying the medication order against the MAR

Answer

Monitoring the patient for adverse reactions

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a recognized route of medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Intrathecal

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Question 31

Which of the following is an essential element of patient monitoring during medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Vital signs assessment

Answer

Medication reconciliation

Answer

Charting

Question 32

Which of the following is a potential complication of intravenous medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Infiltration

Answer

Constipation

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Diarrhea

Question 33

Which of the following is considered a high-alert medication?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Ibuprofen

Question 34

Which route of medication administration provides the most rapid onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Subcutaneous (SC)

Answer

Oral

Answer

Intramuscular (IM)

Question 35

Which factor is NOT considered when selecting a needle size for intramuscular injections?

Accepted Answer

Patient's body mass index (BMI)

Answer

Medication viscosity

Answer

Injection site

Answer

Volume of medication to be injected

Question 36

What is the primary purpose of using the Z-track injection method?

Accepted Answer

To prevent medication leakage into the subcutaneous tissue

Answer

To reduce pain at the injection site

Answer

To minimize potential tissue damage

Answer

To increase the absorption rate of the medication

Question 37

Which of the following is a potential complication specifically associated with intravenous medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Phlebitis

Answer

Bronchospasm

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Question 38

What is the crucial first step in calculating a medication dosage?

Accepted Answer

Confirming the prescribed dose

Answer

Converting the dose to metric units

Answer

Drawing up the medication into a syringe

Answer

Calculating the volume to be administered

Question 39

Which of the following factors does NOT influence the absorption of a medication?

Accepted Answer

Patient's mood

Answer

Route of administration

Answer

Patient's age

Answer

Food intake

Question 40

What aspect of medication administration should be the primary focus of a nurse's evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic effectiveness

Answer

Patient satisfaction

Answer

Convenience of administration

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Question 41

What is a fundamental legal responsibility for nurses related to medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Adhering to the five rights of medication administration

Answer

Dispensing medications independently

Answer

Prescribing medications

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a factor typically considered when calculating medication dosages?

Accepted Answer

Race

Answer

Weight

Answer

Renal function

Answer

Age

Question 43

What is the priority nursing action when a patient experiences an adverse reaction to a medication?

Accepted Answer

Discontinue the medication and notify the healthcare provider immediately.

Answer

Reassure the patient and continue administering the medication.

Answer

Wait for the reaction to subside before taking action.

Answer

Administer an antidote without consulting the provider.

Question 44

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

Accepted Answer

Documentation by a licensed healthcare professional

Answer

Video recording of the administration

Answer

Signature of a witness

Answer

Verbal consent from the patient

Question 45

What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation?

Accepted Answer

To ensure medication continuity and accuracy during transitions of care.

Answer

To assess patient compliance with medication regimens.

Answer

To identify potential medication errors.

Answer

To reduce the cost of medication.

Question 46

Which of the following is a core responsibility of a nurse in medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the patient receives the correct medication, dose, time, and route.

Answer

Developing medication treatment plans.

Answer

Interpreting laboratory results.

Answer

Prescribing medications.

Question 47

When a patient refuses to take a prescribed medication, what is the appropriate nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider.

Answer

Ignore the patient's refusal and continue administering the medication.

Answer

Force the patient to take the medication.

Answer

Convince the patient to take the medication against their will.

Question 48

What is the nurse's primary responsibility when administering medications via an IV infusion?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring the patient for adverse reactions and complications.

Answer

Programming the infusion pump.

Answer

Threading the IV tubing.

Answer

Preparing the IV solution.

Question 49

Which of the following routes of medication administration is the fastest acting?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Subcutaneous (SQ)

Answer

Intramuscular (IM)

Answer

Oral

Question 50

A nurse is preparing to administer a medication through a nasogastric tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

Check placement of the nasogastric tube.

Answer

Document the medication administration.

Answer

Administer the medication.

Answer

Flush the tube with water.

Question 51

A patient reports experiencing a rash after receiving a new medication. What is the nurse's priority action?

Accepted Answer

Stop the medication and notify the healthcare provider.

Answer

Continue administering the medication.

Answer

Document the rash in the patient's chart.

Question 52

Which of the following is a medication error that could lead to a serious adverse event?

Accepted Answer

Administering a medication to the wrong patient.

Answer

Administering a medication at the wrong time.

Answer

Not checking for allergies before administering a medication.

Answer

Failing to document the medication administration.

Question 53

A patient is receiving a medication that has a narrow therapeutic index. What is the nurse's priority assessment?

Accepted Answer

Monitor the patient for signs of toxicity.

Answer

Assess the patient's pain level.

Answer

Monitor the patient's vital signs.

Answer

Ensure the patient understands the medication's side effects.

Question 54

Which of the following is a key principle of medication administration?

Accepted Answer

The five rights of medication administration.

Answer

Using only pre-filled syringes for medication administration.

Answer

Administering medications only as ordered by the physician.

Answer

Documenting the medication administration after administering it.

Question 55

A patient is receiving an intravenous (IV) medication. The nurse observes signs of infiltration at the IV site. What is the nurse's priority action?

Accepted Answer

Stop the IV infusion and remove the IV catheter.

Answer

Apply a warm compress to the site.

Answer

Administer pain medication.

Answer

Elevate the extremity.

Question 56

A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which of the following is the correct needle angle for this injection?

Accepted Answer

45-90 degrees

Answer

15-30 degrees

Answer

90-180 degrees

Answer

0-15 degrees

Question 57

A patient is receiving an oral medication. Which of the following is the nurse's responsibility regarding patient education?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the patient understands the medication's purpose, dosage, and side effects.

Answer

Administer the medication to the patient.

Answer

Monitor the patient for adverse drug reactions.