Medication Administration: Principles and Practice for Nurses

Question 1

The primary responsibility of a nurse administering medications is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure patient safety and well-being.

Answer

Calculate dosages accurately.

Answer

Follow physician orders precisely.

Answer

Document the administration process thoroughly.

Question 2

Which administration route involves injecting a drug directly into a vein?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Intramuscular (IM)

Answer

Subcutaneous (SQ)

Answer

Oral

Question 3

The recommended observation time for a patient after an intramuscular injection is:

Accepted Answer

15-20 minutes

Answer

5-10 minutes

Answer

30 minutes

Answer

1 hour

Question 4

Aseptic technique is employed in medication preparation and administration primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent infection

Answer

Ensure accurate dosage

Answer

Minimize discomfort for the patient

Answer

Improve patient compliance

Question 5

When a nurse gives a drug to the wrong patient, it is considered a:

Accepted Answer

Identification error

Answer

Omission error

Answer

Commission error

Answer

Transcription error

Question 6

A nurse's legal obligation when declining to administer a medication order is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and notify the prescriber

Answer

Provide an ethical justification and inform the prescriber

Answer

Administer the medication despite reservations

Answer

Leave the unit and ask another nurse to administer the medication

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of performing a skin test before administering penicillin?

Accepted Answer

To check for potential allergic reactions

Answer

To confirm the correct dosage

Answer

To prevent medication absorption

Answer

To ensure the medication is tolerated

Question 8

What should you do if a patient **consistently** refuses to take their prescribed medication?

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and notify the physician

Answer

Force them to take it

Answer

Give them the medication anyway

Answer

Ignore the patient's wishes

Question 9

Where is an appropriate subcutaneous injection site for insulin administration?

Accepted Answer

Abdomen

Answer

Deltoid

Answer

Vastus Lateralis

Answer

Dorsogluteal

Question 10

In healthcare settings, what is widely recognized as the primary contributor to medication administration errors?

Accepted Answer

Human error

Answer

Insufficient staff training

Answer

Inadequate equipment

Answer

Limited patient education

Question 11

In the five rights of medication administration, which step comes first?

Accepted Answer

Right patient

Answer

Right medication

Answer

Right dose

Answer

Right route

Question 12

Which of the following routes involves injecting medication into a muscle?

Accepted Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Inhalation

Question 13

What is a common adverse effect associated with the use of penicillin antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Skin rash and itching

Answer

Low blood pressure

Answer

Slow heart rate

Answer

Liver damage

Question 14

What is the main purpose of using a system for reporting medication errors?

Accepted Answer

To identify and prevent future errors

Answer

To punish nurses who make mistakes

Answer

To cover up medication errors

Answer

To punish patients for not following instructions

Question 15

Which method of medication administration involves delivering the medication directly into a vein?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Rectal

Answer

Inhalation

Question 16

The primary purpose of calculating a drug dosage is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure the patient receives the appropriate amount of medication

Answer

Prevent drug interactions

Answer

Determine the frequency of administration

Answer

Assess patient allergies

Question 17

Which method of medication administration involves delivering the medication through the skin?

Accepted Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Question 18

Which step in the medication administration process involves gathering information about the patient's health status and allergies?

Accepted Answer

Assessing the patient

Answer

Reading the medication order

Answer

Preparing the medication

Answer

Administering the medication

Question 19

For medications that require rapid absorption, which route of administration is most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 20

Which medication is typically administered intravenously due to its urgent or critical nature?

Accepted Answer

Heparin

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Insulin

Question 21

The most commonly used unit of measurement for liquid medications is:

Accepted Answer

Milliliters

Answer

Milligrams

Answer

Grams

Answer

Ounces

Question 22

How can nurses best ensure patients understand their medication regimen?

Accepted Answer

Use teach-back methods to check understanding.

Answer

Administer medications without patient involvement to ensure accuracy.

Answer

Use medical terms to show expertise.

Question 23

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

Accepted Answer

Intranasal

Answer

Oral

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a factor that must be considered when calculating a medication dosage?

Accepted Answer

Nurse's experience

Answer

Patient's age

Answer

Patient's weight

Answer

Medication's concentration

Question 25

What is the initial step in the nursing process when administering medications?

Accepted Answer

Assessment

Answer

Planning

Answer

Implementation

Answer

Evaluation

Question 26

Select the characteristic that accurately describes the subcutaneous route of medication administration.

Accepted Answer

Slow onset of action

Answer

Rapid onset of action

Answer

Duration of action exceeding several hours

Answer

Large volume of fluid can be injected

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for proper medication storage and handling?

Accepted Answer

Store medications in close proximity to patients' bedsides.

Answer

Store medications in a temperature-controlled environment.

Answer

Protect medications from direct sunlight.

Answer

Secure medications in a locked location.

Question 28

To foster effective communication during medication administration, which approach should nurses prioritize?

Accepted Answer

Providing clear instructions, posing open-ended questions, and actively listening to patients' concerns

Answer

Employing technical medical jargon and acronyms

Answer

Maintaining minimal eye contact and speaking in a monotonous tone

Answer

Interrupting patients and dismissing their inquiries

Question 29

For rapid absorption of medication, which administration route is considered the most effective?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Intramuscular (IM)

Answer

Subcutaneous (SC)

Answer

Oral

Question 30

What is the key difference between generic and brand-name medications?

Accepted Answer

Generic medications have the same active ingredients as brand-name medications but may differ in inactive ingredients.

Answer

Brand-name medications are always more effective than generic medications.

Answer

Generic medications are not regulated by the FDA.

Answer

Generic medications are always cheaper than brand-name medications.

Question 31

Which of the following conditions is a contraindication for intramuscular (IM) injection?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding disorder or muscle weakness

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Low body mass index

Question 32

For administering a substantial fluid volume over a prolonged period, which medication delivery device is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV) pump

Answer

Syringe

Answer

Nebulizer

Question 33

In medication administration, when balancing a patient's right to make decisions with their need for medical treatment, which action should a nurse prioritize to ensure ethical practice?

Accepted Answer

Hold the medication and consult with the healthcare provider

Answer

Administer the medication even if the patient refuses

Answer

Give a placebo to maintain the patient's trust

Question 34

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

Accepted Answer

Thinking

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Topical

Question 35

Which of these devices is NOT used to administer medications?

Accepted Answer

Stethoscope

Answer

Syringe

Answer

Nebulizer

Answer

Infusion pump

Question 36

When administering medications, what should be the primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Patient safety

Answer

Timeliness

Answer

Convenience

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Question 37

Which method of medication dosage calculation is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Dimensional analysis

Answer

Ratio and proportion

Answer

Fractions

Answer

Rule of thumb

Question 38

Which route of medication administration is most commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Intramuscular

Question 39

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Documenting the administration

Answer

Educating the patient about the medication

Answer

Monitoring the patient for adverse reactions

Question 40

Which step in the medication administration process is critical to prevent errors?

Accepted Answer

Verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers

Answer

Calculating the dosage

Answer

Disposing of the medication

Answer

Preparing the medication

Question 41

Which of the following may indicate an allergic reaction to a medication?

Accepted Answer

Hives or rash

Answer

Headache

Answer

Nausea

Answer

Dizziness

Question 42

What is the legal limit for administering medications without a physician's order?

Accepted Answer

Varies by state and facility policy

Answer

48 hours

Answer

72 hours

Answer

24 hours

Question 43

In the event that a patient declines to take their prescribed medication, the appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and promptly notify the prescribing healthcare professional

Answer

Administer the medication against the patient's will

Answer

Coerce the patient to take the medication

Question 44

To minimize the risk of medication errors, it is essential to:

Accepted Answer

Implement a standardized medication administration system

Answer

Rely solely on memory when administering medications

Answer

Administer medications as quickly as possible

Question 45

Electronic medication administration records (eMARs) offer several advantages. Which of the following is a primary benefit of using eMARs?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced medication safety and reduced risk of errors

Answer

Reduced workload for nurses

Answer

Faster drug preparation

Answer

Lower cost compared to traditional methods

Question 46

Before administering any medication, it is essential to obtain a thorough patient history. The primary purpose of obtaining a patient history is to:

Accepted Answer

Identify potential allergies, drug interactions, and any relevant health conditions that may impact medication administration

Answer

Verify the patient's ability to self-medicate

Answer

Document the patient's understanding of the medications being prescribed

Question 47

Intramuscular (IM) injections are generally not recommended for patients with which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Thrombocytopenia

Answer

Peripheral edema

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Diabetes

Question 48

When reconstituting a powdered medication, it is important to follow the correct procedure to ensure proper dissolution and accurate dosage. The appropriate technique involves:

Accepted Answer

Slowly adding the required amount of diluent to the vial while gently swirling the contents

Answer

Adding the diluent to the vial all at once and shaking vigorously

Answer

Inverting the vial vigorously to dissolve the powder

Question 49

Which of the following is a key responsibility of the nurse in administering medications?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring the patient for adverse reactions

Answer

Transcribing the medication orders

Answer

Ordering the medications

Answer

Preparing the medications

Question 50

What is the first step in the medication administration process?

Accepted Answer

Verifying the patient's identification

Answer

Preparing the medication

Answer

Calculating the medication dosage

Answer

Obtaining a patient history