Question 1

A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient who is unable to speak and is not wearing an armband. Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?
A) Give the medications without identifying the patient.
B) Ask a coworker to identify the patient.
C) Follow the facility's policy on acceptable forms of patient identifiers.
D) Do not give the medications and document that the patient refused.

Accepted Answer

Following the facility's policy on acceptable forms of patient identifiers ensures that the nurse correctly identifies the patient before administering medication, adhering to safety protocols.

Question 2

Which of the following abbreviations means "twice daily"?
A) tid
B) tpd
C) bid
D) qid

Accepted Answer

"Bid" is the abbreviation for "bis in die," which is Latin for "twice a day."

Question 3

A nurse receives an order to perform a task that appears to be outside the scope of nursing practice. Which of the following organizations should the nurse consult for more information?
A) The nurse's state board of nursing
B) National Council of State Boards of Nursing
C) Institute for Safe Medication Practices
D) American Nurses Association

Accepted Answer

The nurse's state board of nursing is responsible for regulating nursing practice within the state and can provide guidance on the scope of practice.

Question 4

The nurse is taking a telephone order for Lovenox. Which of the following is the correct way for the nurse to abbreviate subcutaneous in the client's chart?
A) SQ
B) SC
C) subcut
D) Sub q

Accepted Answer

The correct abbreviation for subcutaneous is "subcut" to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in medical documentation.

Question 5

A nurse is preparing to administer Metformin 500 mg orally to a client. The nurse has checked the medication against the medication administration record (MAR), which says Metformin 500 mg PO. The nurse then checks the patient's armband against the MAR. Which right of administration does the nurse need to complete before administering the medication?
A) Right dose
B) Right drug
C) Right route
D) Right time

Accepted Answer

The nurse needs to ensure the right time for administration, as the other rights (dose, drug, and route) have already been verified.

Question 6

The goal of medication reconciliation is to:
A) Identify discrepancies between current medications and those the patient should be taking.
B) Ensure that a patient is billed for all medications received in a facility.
C) Improve a pharmacy's control over narcotics.
D) Decrease the time it takes a nurse to administer medications.

Accepted Answer

Medication reconciliation aims to identify and resolve discrepancies between the medications a patient is currently taking and those they should be taking according to their healthcare providers. This process helps to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.

Question 7

The organization that develops National Patient Safety Goals is the:
A) Food and Drug Administration
B) Joint Commission
C) Institute for Safe Medication Practices
D) Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Accepted Answer

The Joint Commission is responsible for developing National Patient Safety Goals to improve patient safety in healthcare settings.

Question 8

A nurse is teaching an in-service class on compliance with federal regulations on medications. The nurse teaches that the purpose of the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 was to:
A) Control the manufacture and distribution of over-the-counter medications.
B) Ban the labeling of medications with false therapeutic claims.
C) Control the manufacture, import, distribution, possession, and use of substances with a potential for abuse and addiction.
D) Establish the difference between over-the-counter drugs and drugs that need a prescription from a physician.

Accepted Answer

The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 was designed to regulate the manufacture, import, distribution, possession, and use of certain substances known for their potential for abuse and addiction, aiming to prevent drug misuse and ensure medications are used safely and effectively.

Question 9

A nurse is administering medications to a client who has difficulty swallowing large pills. Which of the following actions is not appropriate for the nurse to complete when preparing medications for this client?
A) Crushing a scored tablet
B) Opening a capsule and sprinkling the medication in a bite of applesauce
C) Choosing a liquid form of a medication instead of a pill
D) Crushing a sublingual medication

Accepted Answer

Crushing a sublingual medication is not appropriate because it alters the way the medication is absorbed and intended to work. Sublingual medications are designed to be absorbed quickly through the tissues under the tongue for rapid effect, and crushing them can interfere with their effectiveness and safety.

Question 10

How many times should the nurse check a medication before administering it to a patient?
A) None
B) One
C) Two
D) Three

Accepted Answer

The nurse should check the medication three times before administering it to a patient: once when the medications are pulled or retrieved, again when preparing or pouring the medication, and a third time before administering it to the patient. This is to ensure the right patient receives the right medication at the right dose and time, enhancing patient safety.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about automated medication dispensing (AMD) systems are true? Select all that apply.
A) They allow pharmacies to easily track medications, which improves efficiency.
B) They allow the nurse to skip performing the three checks and six rights of medication administration.
C) They enhance the security of stored medications.
D) They may reduce the risk of medication errors when used properly.
E) They allow the nurse to give medications at unscheduled times.

Accepted Answer

Automated medication dispensing systems improve efficiency by tracking medications (A), enhance security by controlling access to medications (C), and can reduce medication errors when used correctly (D). However, they do not replace the need for nurses to perform the three checks and six rights (B), nor do they allow unscheduled medication administration (E).

Question 12

A nurse is administering morning medications to a patient. The nurse knows that liquid medicines that consist of a medication mixed in a base of water and alcohol are known as:
A) Suspensions
B) Syrups
C) Elixirs
D) Solutions

Accepted Answer

Elixirs are a type of liquid medication that consists of a medication mixed in a base of water and alcohol, making them a clear liquid containing the active ingredient(s) along with sweeteners and flavorings to make them more palatable.

Question 13

The nurse is administering morning medications to a patient. Which of the following rights of medication administration should the nurse consider when performing this task? Select all that apply.
A) Right patient
B) Right time
C) Right doctor
D) Right route
E) Right room number

Accepted Answer

The right patient ensures the medication is given to the intended individual, the right time ensures the medication is administered at the correct time as prescribed, and the right route ensures the medication is given by the correct method (e.g., orally, intravenously). These are fundamental to safe medication administration practices.

Question 14

The nurse is preparing to administer an injection. The nurse knows that an injection made into the skin layer is called a(n):
A) Intradermal injection
B) Intramuscular injection
C) Intravenous injection
D) Subcutaneous injection

Accepted Answer

An intradermal injection is administered into the dermis, just below the epidermis, which is the correct technique for injections that require the medication to be absorbed slowly, such as for allergy testing and tuberculosis screening.

Question 15

The experienced nurse is orienting a new graduate nurse to the medical-surgical floor. The new graduate nurse is taking a telephone order from a physician. Which of the following abbreviations used in the medical record by the new graduate nurse requires intervention from the experienced nurse? Select all that apply.
A) q.o.d.
B) subcut
C) sub q
D) IVP
E) hs

Accepted Answer

The abbreviations "q.o.d." (every other day), "sub q" (subcutaneous), and "hs" (hour of sleep) are considered unsafe and are on the Joint Commission's "Do Not Use" list due to their potential for misinterpretation.

Question 16

Which of the following should the nurse check when retrieving a medication from its storage bin?
A) The name of the provider ordering the medication
B) The name of the medication
C) The patient's allergies
D) The patient's room number

Accepted Answer

The nurse should check the name of the medication to ensure the correct medication is being administered to the patient.

Question 17

A nurse is preparing to give medications to a patient. How many patient identifiers must be used prior to administering the medications?
A) None
B) One
C) Two
D) Three

Accepted Answer

Two patient identifiers are required before administering medications to ensure the right patient receives the right medication. This is a standard safety practice in healthcare to prevent medication errors.

Question 18

A nurse should call and clarify an order with the provider if which of the following unacceptable abbreviations is used in a medication order?
A) u
B) ID
C) NKDA
D) subcut

Accepted Answer

The abbreviation "u" for units is considered unacceptable because it can be easily misread as a zero or the number four, leading to medication errors. It should be written out as "units" to avoid confusion.

Question 19

The abbreviation PRN means:
A) Every 2 hours
B) Immediately
C) At bedtime
D) As needed

Accepted Answer

PRN is a Latin abbreviation for "pro re nata," which translates to "as the situation demands" or more commonly in medical terms, "as needed." It is used to indicate that a medication or treatment should be given to a patient only when they require it, rather than on a fixed schedule.

Question 20

The nurse is preparing medications for a patient. The nurse is unfamiliar with one of the medications the patient is to receive. What is the best action for the nurse to take?
A) Call the provider.
B) Ask a coworker about the medication and hope the information is correct.
C) Give the medication. It is the provider's responsibility to make sure it is the correct drug and dosage.
D) Look up the medication in an approved drug book or electronic database, then call the provider if there appears to be any errors.

Accepted Answer

The best action for the nurse to take when unfamiliar with a medication is to look it up in an approved drug book or electronic database to ensure it is the correct drug and dosage, and then call the provider if there appears to be any errors. This ensures patient safety and maintains professional responsibility.

Quiz 7: Safety Considerations in Medication Administration

A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient who is unable to speak and is not wearing an armband. Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?

Which of the following abbreviations means "twice daily"?

A nurse receives an order to perform a task that appears to be outside the scope of nursing practice. Which of the following organizations should the nurse consult for more information?

The nurse is taking a telephone order for Lovenox. Which of the following is the correct way for the nurse to abbreviate subcutaneous in the client's chart?

The goal of medication reconciliation is to:

The organization that develops National Patient Safety Goals is the:

A nurse is teaching an in-service class on compliance with federal regulations on medications. The nurse teaches that the purpose of the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 was to:

A nurse is administering medications to a client who has difficulty swallowing large pills. Which of the following actions is not appropriate for the nurse to complete when preparing medications for this client?

How many times should the nurse check a medication before administering it to a patient?

Which of the following statements about automated medication dispensing (AMD) systems are true? Select all that apply.

A nurse is administering morning medications to a patient. The nurse knows that liquid medicines that consist of a medication mixed in a base of water and alcohol are known as:

The nurse is administering morning medications to a patient. Which of the following rights of medication administration should the nurse consider when performing this task? Select all that apply.

The nurse is preparing to administer an injection. The nurse knows that an injection made into the skin layer is called a(n) :

Which of the following should the nurse check when retrieving a medication from its storage bin?

A nurse is preparing to give medications to a patient. How many patient identifiers must be used prior to administering the medications?

A nurse should call and clarify an order with the provider if which of the following unacceptable abbreviations is used in a medication order?

The abbreviation PRN means:

The nurse is preparing medications for a patient. The nurse is unfamiliar with one of the medications the patient is to receive. What is the best action for the nurse to take?