Pharmacology ATI Oral Medications
A nurse is preparing to administer valproic acid 500 mg PO every 12 hr. Available is valproic acid oral syrup 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
10 mL
A provider prescribes buspirone 15 mg PO every 12 hr. Available is buspirone 5mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
3 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer phenobarbital 100 mg. Available is phenobarbital elixir 20 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
25 mL
Troche
A flat, round tablet - also called a lozenge - designed to be dissolved in the mouth and not swallowed.
Forms of solid medications
Tablet Enteric-coated tablet Troche Capsule Caplet
A nurse is preparing to administer trazodone 25 mg PO at bedtime. Available is trazodone 50 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
0.5 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer methadone 2.5 mg PO every 8 hr. Available is methadone 5 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
0.5 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer amlodipine 10 mg PO once per day to a client. The amount available is amlodipine 2.5 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
4 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer methylprednisolone 4 mg PO daily. Available is methylprednisolone 8 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer daily?
0.5 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer medications. Which of the following forms of medication should the nurse instruct the client not to swallow? A. Sustained-release capsule B. Enteric-coated tablet C. Elixir D. Troche
D. Troche
A provider prescribes clinidine 200 mcg PO daily at bedtime. Available is clonidine 0.1 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
2 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hr. Available is amoxicillin oral suspension 250mg/5mL. How many tsp should the nurse give?
2 tsp
A nurse is preparing to administer albuterol 4 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is albuterol syrup 2 mg/ 5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
10 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer doxepin 75 mg PO at bedtime. Available is doxepin 50 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
1.5 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 60 mg PO daily. Available is furosemide 40 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer daily?
1.5 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer magnesium gluconate 270 mg PO. Available is magnesium gluconate liquid 54mg/5mL. how many mL should the nurse administer?
25 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer hydromorphone 4 mg PO every 4 hr PRN for pain. Avaliable is hydromorphone oral liquid 1mg/1mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
4 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer penicillin V potassium 500 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is penicillin V potassium oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
10 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer potassium chloride 15 mEq PO every 12 hr. Available is potassium chloride liquid 20 mEq/15 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
11 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer potassium chloride 15 mEq PO every 12 hr. Available is potassium chloride oral solution 20 mEq/15 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
11.3 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer fluoxetine 35 mg PO daily. Available is fluoxetine solution 20 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
8.8 mL
Enteric-coated tablet
A medication coated with a compound that will not dissolve unitl the tablet passes through the stomach and is exposed to the fluids in the small intestine. This prevents irritation of the stomach lining.
Tablet
A medication compressed inot a disk-like shape. A scored tablet has a line marked into it to make it easier to divide into two equal parts.
Forms of liquid medications
Elixir Syrup Suspension Solution
A nurse is preparing to administer famotidine 20 mg PO every 12 hr. Available is famotidine 40 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
0.5 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen 325 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is acetaminophen oral suspension 160mg/ 5mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
10 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer cephalexin 250 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is cephalexin oral suspension 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
10 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer lithium 600 mg PO every 8 hr. Available is lithium carbonate 300 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
2 capsules
A provider prescribes acyclovir 400 mg PO every 8 hours. Available is acyclovir 200 mg/capsule. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
2 capsules
A nurse is preparing to administer rifampin 0.6 g PO daily. Available is rifampin 150 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
4 capsules
Caplet
A cross between a capsule and a tablet
A nurse is preparing to administer ethosuximide 750 mg PO daily. Available is ethosuximide syrup 250mg/tsp. How many mL should the nurse administer
15 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer lamivudine 150 mg PO every 12 hr. Available is lamivudine oral solution 10mg/mL. How many mL?
15 mL
Buccal medication route
Between cheeks and gums, allowing the medication to dissolve
Tablets that can be divided
Scored tablets
Liquid dosage calculation formula
X mL = Available x Desired (Use ratios)
A nurse is administering medications to four clients using an automated dispensing system. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent medication administration errors? (Select all that apply) A. Compare the medication label with the medication administration record. B. Take out medications for more than one client at once C. Check the expiration date on the medication label D. Document the medication immedicately after administering it E. Remove the medication from the unit-dose package immediately after removing it from the automated dispensing system
A. Compare the medication label with the medication administration record. C. Check the expiration date on the medication label D. Document the medication immedicately after administering it
A nurse is reviewing a client's electronic medication administration record. Which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer orally? A. metop rolol 50 mg PO Q12H B. enoxaparin 30 mg SubQ Q12H C. prilosec 20 mg PO 1 x daily D. fluticasone p ropionate 220 mcg INH BID E. sodium chloride 125 mL/hr 0.9% IV
A. metop rolol 50 mg PO Q12H C. prilosec 20 mg PO 1 x daily
A nurse is reviewing instructions with a client about how to take a sublingual medication. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? A. Swallow the medication whole B. Allow the medication to dissolve conpletely. C. Take the medication with a glass of water. D. Chew the medication carefully
B. Allow the medication to dissolve conpletely.
A nurse is preparing to administer a unit-dose medication. Which of the following information should the nurse expect to find on the medication label. (Select all that apply) A. Administration times B. Generic name C. Storage instructions D. Client diagnosis E. Expiration date
B. Generic name C. Storage instructions E. Expiration date
Solid medications that cannot be crushed
Capsules Enteric coated Delayed released Long acting Very unpleasant tasting Irritating to mucus membranes
Basic information included on all MARs
Client's identifying information, Current date Prescription information Time of medication admission
Where does an enteric coated medication get absorbed?
In the client's small intestine
Sublingual medication route
Placement of medication under the tongue where it is allowed to dissolve slowly
Suspension
Contains small, fine particles of the medicationt aht do not dissolve completely in water. Shake or stir a suspension immediately prior to administration. Example: Ampicillin
Solution
Contains the medication dissolved in water or 0.9% sodium chloride. Example: Furosemide oral solution
Elixir
Contains water, alcohol, sweetener, and the medication. Example: Combination medication hydrocodone and acetaminophen
Syrup
Contains water, concentrated sugar, and the medicaiton Example: Valproic acid
A provider prescribes spironolactine 75 mg PO daily. Available is spironolactone 50 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
1.5 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 25 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is diphenhydramine oral syrup 12.5 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
10 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 25 mg PO to a client. The amount available is diphenhydramine elixir 12.5mg/5mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
10 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 20 mg PO daily. Available is furosemide oral solution 8 mg/1 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
2.5 mL
Routes for solid oral medications
Swallowed Sublingual Buccal Dissolved in the mouth
Information included on pharmacy bulk system label
The generic and brand names of the medication Use for the medication How much medication is in the container The concentration of the medication Directions for use How to store the medication
Client instructions when administering a sublingual medication
Place medication under the client's tongue and instruct to keep in place until the medication is fully dissolved
Capsule
A medication encased in a container made of gelatin. In a sustained-release capsule, the medication is contained in small beads with a coating that allows release over a period of time, usual 12 to 24 hours.
Client instructions when administering a troche
Instruct client not to drink or eat for five minutes before administering or for five minutes after troche has fully dissolved. Client should allow troche to completely dissolve in the mouth.
Clients instructions when administering a buccal medication
Place medication between cheek and gum and allow to fully dissolve.
Action to be taken prior to dispensing a liquid medication suspension
Shake or stir well immediately prior to administration
A nurse is preparing to administer phenytoin 300 mg PO daily. Available is phenytoin oral suspension 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
12 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer lamivudine 150 mg PO every 12 hr. Available is lamivudine oral solution 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
15 mL
A nurse is preparing to administer gabapentin 1,800 mg per day divided in three equal doses. The amount available is gabapentin 300 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer per dose?
2 capsules
A nurse is preparing to administer doxycycline 100 mg PO every 12 hr. Available is doxycycline 50 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse give?
2 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer quinapril 40 mg PO daily. Available is quinapril 20 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer daily?
2 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer triazolam 0.25 mg PO. Available is triazolam 0.125 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
2 tablets
A nurse is preparing to administer zolpidem 10 mg PO at bedtime. Available is zolpidem 5 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
2 tablets
A provider prescribes acetaminophen 650 mg PO every 6 hr PRN for headaches. Available is acetaminophen 325 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
2 tablets
A provider prescribes dexamethasone 4 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is dexamethasone 2 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
2 tablets
A provider prescribes digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Available is digoxin 0.125 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
2 tablets
A provider prescribes olanzipine 5 mg PO daily. Available is olanzapine 2.5 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
2 tablets
A nurse is reviewing instructions with a guardian of a child who is to start therapy with pseudoephedrine 15 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is pseudoephederine oral liquid 30 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse instruct the guardian to give the child every 6 hr?
2.5 mL
A provider prescribes nifedipine 30 mg PO every 8 hr. The amount available is nifedipine 10 mg/capsule. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
3 capsules
A provider prescribes glipizide 15 mg PO 30 min before the client's morning and evening meal. The amount available is glipizide 5 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
3 tablets
