Deck 9: Photo Atlas of Drug Administration

Question 1

The nurse is measuring 4 mL of a liquid cough elixir for a child. Which method is most appropriate?

A) Using a teaspoon to measure and administer
B) Holding the medication cup at eye level and filling it to the desired level
C) Withdrawing the elixir from the container using a syringe without a needle attached
D) Withdrawing the elixir from the container using a calibrated oral syringe

Answer 1

Withdrawing the elixir from the container using a calibrated oral syringe

Question 2

When giving medications, the nurse will use Standard Precautions, which include what action?

A) Bending the needle to prevent reuse
B) Recapping needles to prevent needle sticks
C) Discarding all syringes and needles in the trash can
D) Discarding all syringes and needles in a puncture-resistant container

Answer 2

Discarding all syringes and needles in a puncture-resistant container

Question 3

The nurse is about to give a rectal suppository to a patient. Which technique would facilitate the administration and absorption of the rectal suppository?

A) Having the patient lie on his or her right side, unless contraindicated
B) Having the patient hold his or her breath during insertion of the medication
C) Lubricating the suppository with a small amount of petroleum-based lubricant before insertion
D) Encouraging the patient to lie on his or her left side for 15 to 20 minutes after insertion

Answer 3

Encouraging the patient to lie on his or her left side for 15 to 20 minutes after insertion

Question 4

A patient with asthma is to begin medication therapy using a metered-dose inhaler. What is an important reminder to include during teaching sessions with the patient?

A) Repeat subsequent puffs, if ordered, after 5 minutes.
B) Inhale slowly while pressing down to release the medication.
C) Inhale quickly while pressing down to release the medication.
D) Administer the inhaler while holding it 3 to 4 inches away from the mouth.

Question 5

A patient says he prefers to chew rather than swallow his pills. One of the pills has the abbreviation SR behind the name of the medication. The nurse needs to remember which correct instruction regarding how to give this medication?

A) Break the tablet into halves or quarters.
B) Dissolve the tablet in a small amount of water before giving it.
C) Do not crush or break the tablet before administration.
D) Crush the tablet as needed to ease administration.

Question 6

The nurse has an order to administer an intramuscular (IM) immunization to a 2-month-old child. Which site is considered the best choice for this injection?

A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis

Question 7

The nurse needs to administer insulin subcutaneously to an obese patient. Which is the proper technique for this injection?

A) Using the Z-track method
B) Inserting the needle at a 5- to 15-degree angle until resistance is felt
C) Pinching the skin at the injection site, and then inserting the needle to below the tissue fold at a 90-degree angle
D) Spreading the skin tightly over the injection site, inserting the needle, and then releasing the skin

Question 8

The nurse is giving liquid medications through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. Which technique is correct?

A) Administering the medications using a 3-mL medication syringe
B) Applying firm pressure on the syringe's piston to infuse the medication
C) Flushing the tubing with 30 mL of saline after the medication has been given
D) Using the barrel of the syringe, allowing the medication to flow via gravity into the tube

Question 9

A 2-year-old child is to receive eardrops. The nurse is teaching the parent about giving the eardrops. Which statement reflects the proper technique for administering eardrops to this child?

A) Administer the drops without pulling on the ear lobe.
B) Straighten the ear canal by pulling the lobe upward and back.
C) Straighten the ear canal by pulling the pinna down and back.
D) Straighten the ear canal by pulling the pinna upward and outward.

Question 10

After administering an intradermal (ID) injection for a skin test, the nurse notices a small bleb at the injection site. Which of these is the best action for the nurse to take at this time?

A) Apply heat.
B) Massage the area.
C) Do nothing.
D) Report the bleb to the physician.

Question 11

While the nurse is assisting a patient in taking his medications, the medication cup falls to the floor, spilling the tablets. What is the nurse's best action at this time?

A) Discarding the medications and repeating preparation
B) Asking the patient if he will take the medications
C) Waiting until the next dose time, and then giving the medications
D) Retrieving the medications and administering them to avoid waste

Question 12

When administering medication by IV bolus (push), the nurse will occlude the IV line by which method?

A) Not pinching the IV tubing at all
B) Pinching the tubing just above the injection port
C) Pinching the tubing just below the injection port
D) Pinching the tubing just above the drip chamber of the infusion set

Question 13

The nurse will plan to use the Z-track method of intramuscular (IM) injections for which situation?

A) The medication is known to be irritating to tissues.
B) The patient is emaciated and has very little muscle mass.
C) The medication must be absorbed quickly into the tissues.
D) The patient is obese and has a deep fat layer below the muscle mass.

Question 14

The nurse is giving an intradermal (ID) injection and will choose which syringe for this injection?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 15

A patient is receiving eyedrops that contain a beta-blocker medication. The nurse will use what method to reduce systemic effects after administering the eyedrops?

A) Wiping off excess liquid immediately after instilling the drops
B) Having the patient close the eye tightly after the drops are instilled
C) Having the patient try to keep the eye open for 30 seconds after the drops are instilled
D) Applying gentle pressure to the patient's nasolacrimal duct for 30 to 60 seconds after instilling the drops

Question 16

A patient is to receive a penicillin intramuscular (IM) injection in the ventrogluteal site. The nurse will use which angle for the needle insertion?

A) 15 degrees
B) 45 degrees
C) 60 degrees
D) 90 degrees

Question 17

When adding medications to a bag of intravenous (IV) fluid, the nurse will use which method to mix the solution?

A) Shaking the bag or bottle vigorously
B) Turning the bag or bottle gently from side to side
C) Inverting the bag or bottle one time after injecting the medication
D) Allowing the IV solution to stand for 10 minutes to enhance even distribution of medication

Question 18

When giving a buccal medication to a patient, which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A) Encouraging the patient to swallow, if necessary
B) Administering water after the medication has been given
C) Placing the medication between the upper or lower molar teeth and the cheek
D) Placing the tablet under the patient's tongue and allowing it to dissolve completely

Question 19

Before administering any medication, what is the nurse's priority action regarding patient safety?

A) Verifying orders with another nurse
B) Documenting the medications given
C) Counting medications in the medication cart drawers
D) Checking the patient's identification using two identifiers

Question 20

The nurse is administering an IV push medication through an IV lock. After injecting the medication, which action will be taken next?

A) Flushing the lock
B) Regulating the IV flow
C) Clamping the tubing for 10 minutes
D) Holding the patient's arm up to improve blood flow

Question 21

When administering nasal spray, which instruction by the nurse is appropriate?

A) "You will need to blow your nose before I give this medication."
B) "You will need to blow your nose after I give this medication."
C) "When I give this medication, you will need to hold your breath."
D) "You need to sit up for 5 minutes after you receive the nasal spray."

Question 22

A patient is to receive hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 1.5 mg IV push now. The medication comes in a prefilled syringe, 2 mg/mL. Identify how many milliliters the nurse will administer for this dose. _______

Question 23

The nurse is preparing to give an aqueous intramuscular (IM) injection to an average-sized adult. Which actions are appropriate?

A) Choose a 26- or 27-gauge, 1/4- to 1/2-inch needle.
B) Choose a 20- to 25-gauge, 1- to 1 1/2-inch needle.
C) Choose the dorsogluteal site, the preferred site for IM injections for adults.
D) Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle.
E) Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle.
F) Before injecting the medication, withdraw the plunger to check for blood return.