Question 1

The nurse is performing tuberculin testing on a patient. Which action by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

A 25-gauge, 1/4" needle is appropriate for intradermal injections like the tuberculin test.

Question 2

The nurse is assisting the parent of a 6-month-old infant to administer an oral liquid medication. The parent asks why the medication can't be given in a bottle of formula to make it taste better. How will the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The primary concern is ensuring the infant receives the entire dose of medication. If the medication is mixed with a large volume of formula and the infant does not finish the bottle, the infant will not receive the full dose of the medication. This can lead to under-dosing and ineffective treatment.

Question 3

The nurse is teaching a patient about using sublingual nitroglycerin at home. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve and absorb. Food and water should not be consumed with the tablet, as it may affect its absorption. Placing the tablet between the cheek and gum is not recommended, as it may not be absorbed properly.

Question 4

A patient asks the nurse why the provider has ordered a transdermal form of a medication. How will the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

Transdermal patches provide a steady release of medication over time, leading to more stable drug levels in the bloodstream compared to other forms of administration.

Question 5

The nurse is preparing to start an IV line in a preschool-age child. After applying a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics, what will the nurse do to prepare the child?

Accepted Answer

Giving the child equipment to handle and practice on a doll can help alleviate anxiety and increase the child's understanding of the procedure. This is a common technique used to prepare children for medical procedures. The other choices may also be helpful, but allowing the child to practice on a doll is the best option out of the choices given.

Question 6

A patient asks the nurse if an enteric-coated tablet can be crushed and put in pudding to make it easier to swallow. How will the nurse respond to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in the intestine, not the stomach, to prevent stomach irritation or to ensure proper absorption of the medication. Crushing an enteric-coated tablet can destroy this protective coating, leading to the medication being released too early, potentially causing harm or reducing the medication's effectiveness.

Question 7

A patient who has asthma will begin taking an inhaled corticosteroid medication to be used with a spacer. The patient asks why the spacer is necessary. The nurse will explain that the spacer:

Accepted Answer

The spacer is used to enhance the delivery of medications when using a metered-dose inhaler. It helps to ensure that the medication is properly delivered to the lungs, rather than being deposited in the mouth or throat. The spacer also allows the patient to inhale the medication at their own pace, rather than needing to coordinate their breathing with the release of medication from the inhaler.

Question 8

The nurse is demonstrating the Z-track injection technique to a nursing student on a patient who is receiving iron dextran. Which statement by the student indicates understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

The Z-track injection technique is used to minimize local skin irritation and prevent the medication from leaking back into the subcutaneous tissue.

Question 9

The nurse is teaching a parent to administer medications using a child's gastrostomy tube. The parent asks why it is necessary to give water after each medication. The nurse explains that the water is given for which purpose?

Accepted Answer

The water is given after administering medication through a gastrostomy tube to ensure that all of the medication is flushed from the tube and infused into the stomach, preventing any medication from remaining in the tube where it would not be effective.

Question 10

The nurse is preparing to administer a rectal suppository antipyretic medication. Which action by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

Having the patient remain flat or on one side for at least 30 minutes after insertion helps to prevent the suppository from being expelled.

Question 11

A patient is ordered to take an extended-release medication twice daily but has difficulty swallowing the tablet because of its size. The nurse will perform which action?

Accepted Answer

Crushing or cutting an extended-release tablet can alter its pharmacokinetics and result in an overdose or under-dose of medication. Dissolving the tablet in liquid can also alter its pharmacokinetics and the medication may not be released in a controlled manner. Therefore, the best option is to contact the provider to discuss alternative forms of the medication such as a smaller tablet, a liquid formulation, or a patch.

Question 12

When administering topical medications, which is an important nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Wearing gloves is an important nursing action when administering topical medications to prevent contamination and protect the nurse from potential absorption of the medication. Applying the medication liberally may lead to overdose or adverse effects, cleaning skin with alcohol may dry out or irritate the skin and using sterile technique is not necessary for most topical medications.

Question 13

The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a 14-month-old toddler. To help with site selection for this injection, what will the nurse ask the child's parent?

Accepted Answer

The nurse asks about the child's walking status because the development of the muscles used for an intramuscular injection, particularly in the vastus lateralis or ventrogluteal site, is influenced by the child's level of activity, such as walking. This helps in selecting the most appropriate and developed site for the injection.

Question 14

The nurse is teaching a nursing student about giving liquid medications. Which statement by the student indicates understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

B) is correct because when measuring liquid medication in a syringe, it's important to align the bottom of the meniscus (the curve of the liquid) with the desired measurement line for accuracy. A) is incorrect because in a suspension, particles are suspended, not dissolved. C) is incorrect because elixirs are clear liquid containing water and/or alcohol and are not typically shaken. D) is incorrect because some reconstituted liquids do require refrigeration to maintain their effectiveness.

Quiz 10: Drug Administration