Question 1

The right time for administration of a medication indicates ___.

Accepted Answer

The right time for administration of a medication is the time that the prescriber has ordered, ensuring the medication is given at the correct intervals for optimal effectiveness and safety.

Question 2

When administering a medication, the health care provider _______.

Accepted Answer

Health care providers should assess for all over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal remedies because these can interact with prescribed medications, potentially causing adverse effects or altering the effectiveness of the prescribed medication.

Question 3

Which situation might NOT be considered a medication error?

Accepted Answer

Giving a generic form of a medication is not considered a medication error as long as the generic has the same active ingredients and is considered therapeutically equivalent to the brand-name medication.

Question 4

If a narcotic has been drawn up, but it is not administered, what is the MOST correct procedure?

Accepted Answer

The most correct procedure for handling a narcotic that has been drawn up but not administered is to discard the medication with a witness present, chart in the patient record that it was not given and the reason for withholding it, and then record the waste in the controlled substance records. This ensures accountability and compliance with regulations regarding controlled substances.

Question 5

Responsibility for safe administration of medications requires that the health care practitioner ____.

Accepted Answer

Health care practitioners are responsible for being familiar with every medication before administering it to ensure safe administration and to prevent errors related to lack of knowledge about the medication.

Question 6

Which element is missing from the following order? "Give Demerol IM every 4-6 hours for complaints of pain."

Accepted Answer

The order specifies the route (IM - intramuscular) and the time (every 4-6 hours), but it does not specify the dose of Demerol to be given.

Question 7

In administering medications, it is acceptable to _______.

Accepted Answer

None of the options provided are acceptable practices in medication administration. Medications should always be prepared and administered by the person responsible for the patient's care to ensure accuracy and safety. Leaving medication at a patient's bedside or returning an opened, single-dose packet are both unsafe practices that could lead to medication errors or contamination.

Question 8

Patients must understand the importance of taking their medicine in the proper dosage, on time, and in the proper way if ____.

Accepted Answer

Taking medicine in the proper dosage, on time, and in the proper way is crucial for patients to benefit from drug therapy, as it ensures the effectiveness of the treatment.

Question 9

Cyndy notices that the doctor has ordered the administration of 400 mg of meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol) every 2 hours.She knows that the usual dose is 50 to 150 mg every 3-4 hours.What should she do?

Accepted Answer

The correct action is to question the dose in accordance with the facility's procedures because the ordered dose significantly exceeds the usual dose range, which could potentially harm the patient. It's important to ensure medication safety by verifying orders that deviate from standard dosing guidelines.

Question 10

Luca, a new nurse at the nursing home, explains to you that he injured his hands over the weekend with some garage tools.He is responsible for medication administration and asks you to open all of the unit dose packages for him before he makes rounds.What should you tell him?

Accepted Answer

Unit dose packages are designed to ensure medication safety and integrity until the moment of administration. Opening them ahead of time, especially not by the administering nurse, could compromise safety, lead to medication errors, or reduce the medication's effectiveness.

Question 11

Miguel's prescription states that he is to take his anticonvulsant every 12 hours.He asks if he can take the medication first thing in the morning (usually around 7) and then when he goes to bed (usually around 11) to avoid his usual forgetfulness.What should you tell Miguel?

Accepted Answer

Taking anticonvulsant medication every 12 hours is crucial to maintain a consistent therapeutic level in the bloodstream, which helps prevent seizures. Deviating significantly from this schedule could lead to subtherapeutic levels and increased risk of convulsions.

Question 12

Four-year-old Patrick is at the doctor for an IM injection, and begs you to use one of the tiny needles he remembers from a skin test for allergies because that did not hurt much.What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Carefully explaining to Patrick and his parents why the requested change cannot be accommodated is important for maintaining trust and ensuring that the medication is administered safely and effectively. The size of the needle used for intramuscular (IM) injections is determined by factors such as the viscosity of the medication and the depth it needs to reach within the muscle, not just patient comfort.

Question 13

Physicians are notorious for their illegible handwriting.What innovation helps reduce errors associated with misreading prescriptions?

Accepted Answer

CPOE, or Computerized Physician Order Entry, helps reduce errors associated with misreading prescriptions by allowing physicians to enter orders into a computer system directly, thus avoiding the pitfalls of illegible handwriting.

Question 14

The right documentation of a medication involves _____.

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed are essential components of proper medication documentation, including noting adverse reactions, the dose and time of administration, and details about injection sites.

Question 15

Logan, who has terminal cancer, has a PRN order for an anxiolytic injection.When it is administered, the hospice nurse should note dose, time, route, location of injection, and ____.

Accepted Answer

When administering any medication, including an anxiolytic injection, it is essential for healthcare professionals to document the effectiveness of the treatment. This helps in assessing the patient's response to the medication and adjusting care plans accordingly.

Question 16

Why should the following order be clarified? "Penicillin 6 cc IM 3 times daily"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why should the following order be clarified?...

Question 17

Sylvano's hospital has a new packaging system in the pharmacy and, unfortunately, the labels are not dispensed properly.This evening, he receives unit dose medications in which the labels are so crooked that they are overlapping one another.What should Sylvano do?

Accepted Answer

Administering medication with improper labeling poses a significant risk to patient safety. Sylvano should not administer these medications as the labels are not clear, which could lead to medication errors.

Question 18

Which statement is correct regarding MedWatch?

Accepted Answer

MedWatch is a program developed by the FDA to encourage healthcare professionals to report any unexpected adverse events or reactions patients experience while taking medications. It aims to identify potential safety issues with drugs that may not have been evident during clinical trials.

Question 19

Ms.Vasco's arms are covered with bruises and as a result, she begs you to give her a pill rather than another injection.Under what circumstances can a route be changed?

Accepted Answer

Changing the route of medication administration requires a new prescription or order from a physician, as it can significantly affect the medication's efficacy and safety.

Question 20

MedWatch reports help the FDA to _____.

Accepted Answer

MedWatch is the FDA's reporting program for monitoring the safety of drugs, biologics, medical devices, and dietary supplements after they are approved for use. It allows healthcare professionals and consumers to report serious problems and adverse effects related to these products, helping the FDA to ensure their safety and efficacy.

Quiz 7: Responsibilities and Principles of Drug Administration