Ch. 28 Medications

4. A nurse is administering a medication to a patient for acute pain. Of the various routes for drug administration, which would be chosen because it is absorbed more rapidly? A) injected medications B) liquid oral medications C) topical skin medications D) oral-coated medications

A) injected medications

31. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication by intravenous piggyback. Where will the piggyback container be placed? A) higher than the primary solution container B) lower than the primary solution container C) at an equal height with the primary solution container D) below the level of the patients heart

A) higher than the primary solution container

10. A nurse is converting the dosage of a medication to a different unit in the metric system. The medication label specifies the drug as being 0.5 g per tablet. The order is for 500 mg. How many tablets will the nurse give? A) 1 B) 2 C) 5 D) 10

A) 1

17. What does the nurse do to verify an order for a medication listed on a medication administration record (MAR)? A) Compare it with the original physicians order. B) Ask another nurse what the drug is. C) Look up the drug in a textbook. D) Call the pharmacist for verification.

A) Compare it with the original physicians order.

20. A nurse is administering a liquid medication to an infant. Where will the nurse place the medication to prevent aspiration? A) between the gum and the cheek B) in front of the teeth and gums C) on the front of the tongue D) under the tongue

A) between the gum and the cheek

9. A nurse is administering lithium to a Japanese patient. What cultural factor should the nurse consider regarding the effects of the medications? A) elevated serum levels may occur causing symptoms of drug toxicity B) expected side effects should be no different than in other patients C) the patient may require a larger-than-normal dose of a drug D) more rapid metabolism may interfere with drug absorption

A) elevated serum levels may occur causing symptoms of drug toxicity

27. A nurse is preparing an injection by withdrawing the solution from a multidose vial. What is necessary to facilitate withdrawing a medication from the vial? A) first inject an equal amount of air into the vial B) withdraw the liquid and then inject an equal amount of air C) insert the needle and slowly withdraw the liquid D) insert a separate needle to equalize the pressure

A) first inject an equal amount of air into the vial

7. A patient who is taking an oral narcotic for pain relief tells the nurse he is constipated. What is this common response to narcotics called? A) therapeutic effect B) adverse effect C) toxic effect D) idiosyncratic effect

B) adverse effect

15. A physician has ordered that a medication be given stat for a patient who is having an anaphylactic drug reaction. At what time would the nurse administer the medication? A) at the next scheduled medication time B) immediately after the order is noted C) not until verifying it with the patient D) whenever the patient asks for it

B) immediately after the order is noted

16. What type of order would a physician most likely write to treat the symptoms of a disease? A) stat B) p.r.n. C) standing D) single

B) p.r.n.

21. A nurse is teaching an older adult at home about taking newly prescribed medications. Which of the following would be included? A) You can identify your medications by their color. B) I have written the names of your drugs with times to take them. C) You wont forget a medication if you count them every day. D) Dont worry if the label comes off; just look at the shapes.

B) I have written the names of your drugs with times to take them.

23. What would a nurse instruct a patient to do after administration of a sublingual medication? A) Take a big drink of water and swallow the pill. B) Try not to swallow while the pill dissolves. C) Swallow frequently to get the best benefit. D) Chew the pill so it will dissolve faster.

B) Try not to swallow while the pill dissolves.

26. A nurse has administered an intramuscular injection. What will the nurse do with the syringe and needle? A) Recap the needle and place it in a puncture-resistant container. B) Do not recap the needle and place it in a puncture-resistant container. C) Break off the needle, place it in the barrel, and throw it in the trash. D) Take off the needle and throw the syringe in the patients trash can.

B) Do not recap the needle and place it in a puncture-resistant container.

11. A physician orders Cipro 500 mg, PO q12h for a patient with bronchial pneumonia. The nurse has Cipro 250 mg on hand. How many tablets would the nurse dispense? A) 1/2 tablet B) 1 tablet C) 2 tablets D) 2 1/2 tablets

C) 2 tablets

5. A physician has ordered peak and trough levels of a medication. When would the nurse schedule the trough level specimen? A) before administering the first dose B) immediately after the first dose C) 30 minutes before the next dose D) 24 hours after the last dose

C) 30 minutes before the next dose

22. A student nurse is administering medications through a nasogastric tube connected to continuous suction. How will the student do this accurately? A) Briefly disconnect tubing from the suction to administer medications, then reconnect. B) Realize this cant be done, and document information. C) Disconnect tubing from the suction before giving drugs, and clamp tubing for 20 to 30 minutes. D) Leave the suction alone and give medications orally or rectally.

C) Disconnect tubing from the suction before giving drugs, and clamp tubing for 20 to 30 minutes.

13. A nurse is conducting an interview with a patient to collect a medication history. Which of the following questions would be used to ensure safe medication administration? A) Have you noticed any change in your bowel habits? B) How do you feel about taking medications? C) Do you have any allergies to medications? D) At what times do you take your medications?

C) Do you have any allergies to medications?

3. A patient who is taking Tylenol for a fever asks a nurse if there is a generic form that is less expensive. What would the nurse tell him? A) No, Tylenol is all that is available. B) No, not that I am aware of. C) Yes, and it is acetaminophen. D) Yes, and it is also called Tylenol.

C) Yes, and it is acetaminophen.

1. Which of the following healthcare providers have prescriptive authority? Select all that apply. A) licensed practical nurse B) pharmacist C) physician D) social worker E) dentist F) advance practice nurses

C) physician E) dentist F) advance practice nurses

32. A nurse flushes an intravenous lock before and after administering a medication. What is the rationale for this step? A) to keep the inside of the needle or catheter sterile B) to facilitate patient comfort and decrease anxiety C) to clear medication and prevent clot formation D) to dilute the infusion and maintain homeostasis

C) to clear medication and prevent clot formation

30. Which anatomic site is recommended for intramuscular injections for adults? A) vastus lateralis B) epidermis of inner forearm C) ventrogluteal muscles D) subcutaneous fat

C) ventrogluteal muscles

2. What federal agency enforces the official standards for drugs in the United States? A) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention B) Judicial branch of the administration C) Controlled Substance Act D) Food and Drug Administration

D) Food and Drug Administration

24. A nurse is administering an intramuscular injection of a viscous medication using the appropriate-gauge needle. What does the nurse need to know about needle gauges? A) All needles for parenteral injection are the same gauge. B) The gauge will depend on the length of the needle. C) Ask the patient what size needle is preferred. D) Gauges range from 18 to 30, with 18 being the largest.

D) Gauges range from 18 to 30, with 18 being the largest.

18. What must a nurse do each time medications are administered to ensure that medication errors do not occur? A) Verify the number of medications to be administered. B) Review information about classification of drugs. C) Ask another nurse to double-check the medications. D) Observe the three checks and five rights.

D) Observe the three checks and five rights.

14. A hospitalized patient asks the nurse for some aspirin for my headache. There is no order for aspirin for this patient. What will the nurse do? A) Go ahead and give the patient aspirin, a common self-prescribed drug. B) Ask the patients visitors if they have any aspirin for the patient. C) Ask the patients family to bring some aspirin from home. D) State that an order from the doctor is legally required and check with the doctor.

D) State that an order from the doctor is legally required and check with the doctor.

33. Which of the following accurately describes a step in this procedure? A) The medication is injected just below the dermis of the skin. B) Transdermal patches that contain estrogen should be applied to breast tissue. C) When indicated, apply a cold pack to the area to promote absorption. D) The nurse would wear gloves while massaging in the medication.

D) The nurse would wear gloves while massaging in the medication.

28. An adult with diabetes receives 20 units of insulin each morning and evening. How will the nurse teach the patient to administer the insulin? A) Use a 1-mL syringe and give 0.4 mL. B) Use a 5-mL syringe and give 0.40 mL. C) Use a tuberculin syringe and give 4/10 mL. D) Use an insulin syringe and give 20 units.

D) Use an insulin syringe and give 20 units.

12. What factor is used to most accurately calculate drug dosages for a child? A) age B) developmental level C) weight D) body surface area (BSA)

D) body surface area (BSA)

25. Which of the following parts of the syringe and needle must be kept sterile when preparing and administering an injection? Select all that apply. A) the outside of the cap B) the outside of the barrel C) the needle hub D) the needle E) inside the barrel F) part of plunder entering barrel

D) the needle E) inside the barrel F) part of plunder entering barrel

6. A patient taking insulin has his levels adjusted to ensure the concentration of drug in the blood serum produces the desired effect without causing toxicity. What is the term for this desired effect? A) peak level B) trough level C) half-life D) therapeutic range

D) therapeutic range

19. A nurse is administering a medication that is formulated as enteric-coated tablets. What is the rationale for not crushing or chewing enteric-coated tablets? A) to prevent absorption in the mouth B) to prevent absorption in the esophagus C) to facilitate absorption in the stomach D) to prevent gastric irritation

D) to prevent gastric irritation

29. A clinic nurse is preparing for a tuberculosis screening. Knowing the injections will be administered intradermally, what size needles and syringes will the nurse prepare? A) 10-mL syringe, 3-inch 18-gauge needle B) 5-mL syringe, 2-inch 20-gauge needle C) insulin syringe, 1-inch 16-gauge needle D) tuberculin syringe, 1/2-inch 26-gauge needle

D) tuberculin syringe, 1/2-inch 26-gauge needle

8. A nurse is conducting an interview for a health history. In addition to asking the patient about medications being taken, what else should be asked to assess the risk for drug interactions? A) the effects of prescribed medications B) type and amount of foods eaten C) daily amount of intake and output D) use of herbal supplements

D) use of herbal supplements