Pharmacology Pre-Quiz

The physician ordered 8 mg of morphine sulfate IM. Morphine sulfate is available as 10 mg in a 1-mL vial. How many milliliters will the nurse administer to this patient?

.0.8 mL

Mrs. Hone asks the nurse to open her Effexor XR capsule and mix the contents in applesauce to make it easier to swallow. How should the nurse respond? a. "Not a problem; I will mix the medication for you." b. "I am sorry, but opening the capsule may cause you to absorb too much medication too quickly." c. "The physician gave you this form of your medication because it is easier to take by mouth." d. "Effexor XR may only be mixed with food with a physician's order."

b. "I am sorry, but opening the capsule may cause you to absorb too much medication too quickly."

If a dose of a medication is missed, what do most authorities recommend? a. Double the dose the next time that the medication is due b. Take the medication if it is close to the administration time c. Increase the next two doses to maintain the drug's level in the system d. Take the medication as long as there are 2 hours between doses

b. Take the medication if it is close to the administration time

The patient requests an oral pain medication. The nurse notes that the patient is NPO in preparation for laboratory tests. What is the nurse's best response to this patient? a. "You are not allowed to have any medication by mouth right now. I will give you this medication in an injection." b. "I will check with your doctor and see if it will be all right for you to take a pain pill." c. "I will contact your doctor and ask for a different method of drug administration." d. "You will have to wait for this medication until you eat and drink again."

c. "I will contact your doctor and ask for an order for a different method of drug administration."

Mrs. Hone has a new order for Effexor XR. She asks the nurse why she doesn't hve to take the medication as frequently as her other antidepressant. As part of the nurse's teaching plan, what does the nurse tell her? a. "XR means that the drug is extended release, which means that there are less consistent serum drug levels and you need to take it less frequently." b. "XR means that the drug is delayed release, which means that there are more consistent serum drug levels and you need to take it less frequently." c. "XR means that the drug is extended release, which means that there are more consistent serum drug levels and you need to take it less frequently." d. "XR means that the drug is extended release, which means that there are more consistent serum drug levels and you need to take it more frequently."

c. "XR means that the drug is extended release, which means that there are more consistent serum drug levels and you need to take it less frequently."

The physician orders NPH U100 insulin 16 units SC every AM for Mrs. Styles. The nurse prepares the insulin dose, and, to ensure safety, what does the nurse do? a. Give the insulin to the patient b. Bring the vial c. Ask another nurse to double-check the measurement d. Encourage the patient to administer her own insulin

c. Ask another nurse to double-check the measurement

The charge nurse on the unit transcribes a physician's order onto the medication administration record. She writes, "Digoxin 0.25 mg PO qod x3d" on the MAR. How should the order be written to prevent medication error? a. Digoxin 0.25 mg PO every other day x3d b. Digoxin 0.25 mg PO qod for three doses c. Digoxin 0.25 mg by mouth every other day for three doses d. Digoxin 0.25 mg PO qod x3d

c. Digoxin 0.25 mg by mouth every other day for three doses

A patient refuses a PRN medication; the nurse documents the reason for the refusal on the back of the medication administration record and disposes of the medication according to facility policy. By documenting the patient's refusal and reason for declining the medication, the nurse is adhering to which of the "rights" for medication administration? a. Right dose b. Right medication c. Right documentation d. Right patient

c. Right documentation

The nursing instructor is observing a nursing student give a subcutaneous injection of heparin to a patient. The nursing student would receive an unsatisfactory evaluation if the student performed what action? a. The student uses a 25-gauge needle to administer the medication b. The student inserts the needle at a 45-degree angle c. The student gently aspirates the medication before administering the medication d. The student applies pressure for a few seconds after removing the needle

c. The student gently aspirates the medication before administering the medication

The nurse is preparing to administer medications via a patient's gastrostomy tube. The physician has ordered an extended-release medication. What is the nurse's most appropriate action? a. The nurse should open the capsule and empty the powder into 30 mL of water b. Crush the capsule and flush the medication with at least 60 mL of water. c. Do not administer the medication because it may clog the gastrostomy tube d. Call the physician and ask for an order for a different formulation of the medication.

d. Call the physician and ask for an order for a different formulation of the medication