Deck 23: Nonparenteral Medications

Question 1

The nurse needs to document a medication that has just been administered.Which technique does the nurse use to document medication administration when in a hurry?

A) Document the medication immediately before administration.
B) Record the time administered and the nurse's name immediately after administration.
C) Record medication administration time, route, and dose at the end of the shift.
D) Delegate recording administration time and the nurse's name in the record.

Answer 1

Record the time administered and the nurse's name immediately after administration.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing to administer eardrops to a 5-year-old child.Nursing care is appropriate if which technique is used by the nurse?

A) Warm the eardrops in a microwave oven on low.
B) Pull the auricle upward and outward.
C) Apply eardrops to a cotton ball and insert them in the affected ear.
D) Instruct the child to lie with the affected ear on a warm compress.

Answer 2

Pull the auricle upward and outward.

Question 3

The nurse needs to administer a rectal suppository to a patient to treat constipation.Which action may the nurse delegate to the nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?

A) Inserting the suppository into patient's rectum
B) Notifying the patient's health care provider of the suppository results
C) Documenting the administration of a suppository after insertion
D) Informing the nurse of the patient's bowel movement

Answer 3

Informing the nurse of the patient's bowel movement

Question 4

The nurse approaches a group of patients, one of whom is to receive a dose of medication.Which is the best method for the nurse to identify the patient needing the medication?

A) Question the entire group by calling for the specific patient.
B) Request that the other patients identify the patient.
C) Ask the patients who is scheduled to receive medications now.
D) Follow agency policy and professional standards to ensure accurate identification.

Question 5

The nurse teaches the patient how to administer eye ointment.Instruction by the nurse has been correct if the patient demonstrates which technique?

A) Moistens the finger with sterile saline.
B) Places a thin ribbon of ointment along the conjunctiva.
C) Rubs the medication briskly after application.
D) Looks downward before application of the ointment.

Question 6

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease uses a metered-dose inhaler (MDI).Which information does the nurse provide to ensure the patient receives the maximum benefit of the medication?

A) Administer two puffs of medication in rapid succession.
B) Maintain a firm seal with lips around the mouthpiece of the inhaler.
C) Dispense the glucocorticoids 30 seconds after a bronchodilator.
D) Instruct the patient to press the MDI after breathing in and out deeply.

Question 7

The nurse prepares to administer cyclosporine eyedrops to a patient with dry eyes.Which of the following actions does the nurse implement before instilling the eyedrops?

A) Apply mild pressure on the entire eye.
B) Apply the eye ointment along inner edge of lower eyelid.
C) Remove any periorbital crusting with a warm face cloth.
D) Wipe away any crusting from the outer to the inner canthus.

Question 8

The nurse is preparing a liquid medication.Which technique does the nurse use to ensure an accurate dose?

A) Open the unit-dose package and pour contents into a medicine cup.
B) Use a measuring cup with both metric and dram markings for accuracy.
C) Request pharmacy dispense small doses in pre-filled, one time use syringes.
D) Perform hand hygiene and don gloves, if needed, and identify the patient.

Question 9

The nurse prepares to administer acetaminophen 650 mg rectally to an adult patient.Which does the nurse implement to administer the suppository properly?

A) Assists the patient to right lateral position and flexes the left leg.
B) Performs a preadministration digital rectal examination.
C) Washes hands and applies sterile gloves before the procedure.
D) Inserts the suppository 10 cm (4 inches) into the patient's rectum.

Question 10

The nurse prepares medication for a patient 1 hour after admission.What information about the patient is the nurse's priority assessment before the initial administration of medication?

A) The diet history
B) Any drug tolerance
C) Any allergy history
D) The surgical history

Question 11

The health care provider prescribes a sublingual medication, and the pharmacy sends an oral form.Which action does the nurse take?

A) Administer the identical drug orally.
B) Call the pharmacy for the correct formulation.
C) Withhold the drug and notify the provider.
D) Calculate the oral equivalent dose for the patient.

Question 12

A patient's family member is afraid of hurting the patient when giving eardrops per discharge instructions.Which action will the nurse take first?

A) Observe caregiver administration of eardrops.
B) Provide a demonstration of eardrop instillation.
C) State that eardrop instillations do not injure ears.
D) Agree that instillation of eardrops is challenging.

Question 13

The nurse administers a vaginal suppository.What information will the nurse include in patient teaching about postadministration care?

A) Use a tampon to hold the suppository in place.
B) Place a perineal pad in her underpants when getting up.
C) Expect a moderate localized burning and itching.
D) Remain in the semi-Fowler's position for 2 hours.

Question 14

The nurse prepares to administer artificial tears to the patient's eyes twice daily.Which will the nurse implement when administering the patient's eyedrops as the priority?

A) Dispense the eyedrops to the inner corner of each eye.
B) Wash the eyes with a warm, wet washcloth.
C) Check the patient identifiers before administration.
D) Determine the patient's history of taking this medication.

Question 15

An alert and oriented patient is to receive oral medication.Which does the nurse implement to administer the prescribed medication?

A) Evaluates the patient's ability to take the medications unassisted.
B) Leaves the medications on the breakfast tray for the patient to take later.
C) Asks the patient if holding the medications in the hand is preferred.
D) Holds the medicine cup to the patient's lips and tips it into the mouth.

Question 16

The patient is to receive a buccal medication.Which information does the nurse include in patient teaching?

A) Hold the medication under the tongue.
B) Chew the medication before swallowing.
C) Swallow the medication after 30 seconds.
D) Hold the medication between the cheek and gums until it dissolves.

Question 17

The nurse instructs the patient about applying a transdermal patch.Which does the nurse include in patient teaching?

A) Choose a site with moderate exposure to the sun.
B) Remove the old patch before applying a new patch.
C) Put the new patch at the same site to promote even absorption.
D) Apply a warm compress to the site before application.

Question 18

The patient reports blurred vision after the instillation of eyedrops.What action does the nurse implement first?

A) Withhold the patient's ophthalmic drops.
B) Warm the eyedrops for subsequent doses.
C) Notify the ophthalmologist of the findings.
D) Ask the patient questions to clarify what is meant by "blurred."

Question 19

The nurse is helping a dyspneic older adult with severe arthritis to use a nebulizer for respiratory medications.Nursing care would be correct if the nurse takes which action during the medication administration?

A) Instructs the patient to hold the mouthpiece with the hands.
B) Uses a mask to deliver the ordered medication.
C) Places the patient in a supine position for the treatment.
D) Has the patient drink some fluid before the treatment.

Question 20

The nurse needs to administer enteric-coated aspirin to the patient.The pharmacy does not carry enteric-coated aspirin.Which is the best nursing approach for this situation?

A) Pour tablets from stock without touching them.
B) Withhold the medication and notify the health care provider.
C) Have another nurse witness taking two aspirin tablets from the bottle.
D) Inform the patient that family needs to bring this medication in.

Question 21

A patient is to receive three medications via an enteral feeding tube.What action by the nurse best contributes to maintaining the patency of the tube?

A) Pouring the medications slowly into the tube
B) Checking the gastric residual volume before feeding
C) Elevating the head of the bed at least 45 degrees
D) Flushing the tube between medications and after the last one

Question 22

The nurse is teaching a patient how to calculate how long the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) cannister can be used.If the cannister contains 200 puffs and the patient administers 2 puffs 3 times each day, how long will the cannister last? The cannister will last for _____ days.

Question 23

The nurse is administering medications to a patient who had a stroke and has some difficulty swallowing.What assessment by the nurse would indicate that goals for a priority nursing diagnosis have been met?

A) The patient's lungs are clear 1 hour after administration.
B) The nurse assesses the medication's therapeutic effect.
C) The patient is able to swallow medications one at a time.
D) The nurse does not note any adverse reactions.

Question 24

The nurse is preparing to administer eardrops to a 28-month-old child.Nursing care is appropriate if which technique is used by the nurse?

A) Warm the eardrops in a sink of warm water.
B) Pull the pinna down and straight back.
C) Place the child in a restraint to avoid injury.
D) Administer the drops as soon as possible after removing them from the refrigerator.

Question 25

The nurse is preparing medications for a patient who cannot swallow pills.Which of the following medications cannot be crushed? (Select all that apply.)

A) Capsule
B) Scored tablet
C) Enteric-coated tablet
D) Buccal tablet
E) Unscored tablet

Question 26

The patient has a scored white tablet, a capsule, buccal medication, and an enteric-coated tablet.Which medication will the nurse administer last?

A) The scored white tablet
B) The capsule
C) The buccal medication
D) The enteric-coated tablet

Question 27

The nurse plans care for the patient who has newly diagnosed asthma and receives albuterol nebulizer therapy.The patient's respiratory rate is 34 breaths per minute, and breath sounds reveal wheezing throughout both lung fields.Which outcome is the nurse's priority for this patient within 24 hours?

A) The patient self-administers the medication using the nebulizer.
B) The patient correctly describes the use of a small-volume nebulizer.
C) The patient recites side effects and clinical indicators to report.
D) The patient's respiratory rate falls to an acceptable level.

Question 28

The faculty member instructs students to be cautious when teaching patients how to use an inhaler because there are many problems associated with this method of administration.Which of the following are potential problems when using inhalers? (Select all that apply.)

A) Incorrect activation
B) Not shaking the cannister
C) Not keeping the cannister cool
D) Not taking medication as directed
E) Failing to clean the mouthpiece

Question 29

A patient's feeding tube has become blocked.What actions by the nursing student would require the faculty member to intervene? (Select all that apply.)

A) Uses tepid water and large bore syringe to flush the tube.
B) Flushes tube with water before and after each medication.
C) Follows manufacturer guidelines before using pancrelipase.
D) Attempts to irrigate the tube using room temperature cola.
E) Checks agency policy regarding use of a declogging stylus.

Question 30

A new nurse has a patient who is a high risk of aspiration.The new nurse reviews methods to keep the patient safe with an experienced nurse.Which interventions do the nurses discuss as protective strategies? (Select all that apply.)

A) Avoid using straws with medication administration.
B) Assess the patient's ability to swallow pills.
C) Place medications on the weaker side of the mouth.
D) Consult with speech therapy about thickened liquids.
E) Give medications then instruct the patient to lie down and rest.

Question 31

The nurse is caring for a patient with an enteral feeding tube.During assessment, the nurse finds that the patient's oxygen saturation level has dropped significantly and the respiratory rate and effort have increased.What action does the nurse take first?

A) Stop any infusion through the feeding tube.
B) Assess all of the patient's vital signs.
C) Notify the health care provider.
D) Reposition the patient.