Deck 20: Medications

Question 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

Answer 1

C, E, F

Question 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

Answer 2

D

Question 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."

Answer 3

C

Question 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

Question 5

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

Question 6

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

Question 7

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)

Question 8

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?"

Question 9

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 patient's visitors if they have any aspirin for the patient.
C) Ask the patient's family to bring some aspirin from home.
D) State that an order from the doctor is legally required and check with the doctor.

Question 10

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

Question 11

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.

Question 12

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

Question 13

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

Question 14

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."

Question 15

Which anatomic site is recommended for intramuscular injections for adults?

A) vastus lateralis
B) epidermis of inner forearm
C) ventrogluteal muscles
D) subcutaneous fat

Question 16

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 patient's heart

Question 17

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

Question 18

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.