Question 1

What is medication reconciliation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Comparing the patient's current medication orders to all of the medications actually being taken
B)  The administration of high alert medications that have been ordered on admission to an acute care facility
C)  The completion of an incident report following a variance that resulted in a serious complication
D)  A printout of computerized patient data that identifies the times that all of the ordered medications are to be administered A

Question 2

Which medication order requires nursing judgment and means "administer if needed"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Morphine 4 mg IV stat
B)  Morphine 4 mg IV prior to procedure
C)  Morphine 4 mg IV four times a day
D)  Morphine 4 mg IV every 4 hours PRN D

Question 3

Which is known as the "fifth vital sign"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Temperature
B)  Respirations
C)  Pain
D)  Pulse C

Question 4

The nurse is preparing to administer Lanoxin to a patient on the telemetry unit.In addition to understanding the patient's diagnosis, the nurse must also know which characteristic(s) of the medication? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Chemical composition
B)  Adverse effects
C)  Expected actions
D)  Contraindications for use
E)  Usual dosing

Question 5

Which advantage(s) does the unit dose drug distribution system include? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  There is decreased participation by the pharmacy.
B)  The pharmacist is able to analyze prescribed medications for each client for drug interactions and contraindications.
C)  There is less waste of medications.
D)  The time spent by nursing personnel preparing these medications is increased.
E)  Credit is given to the patient for unused medications.

Question 6

The nursing assessment identifies that the client is nauseated and cannot take acetaminophen (Tylenol) orally.Which is true regarding the substitution of this medication to suppository form?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is standard practice when the patient is unable to take the ordered medication.
B)  It is acceptable if the patient agrees to the altered route form.
C)  It is preferable to having the patient miss a dose of the medication.
D)  It is contraindicated without an order from the health care provider.

Question 7

The nurse transcribes an order to administer Valium 10 mg IV stat.This order is correctly interpreted by the nurse to mean it should be provided how? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  As needed
B)  Immediately
C)  One time only
D)  In divided doses
E)  Intravenously

Question 8

A patient's liquid cough medicine has been discontinued with one half of the bottle remaining.The home health nurse is aware that according to the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines on prescription medication disposal, the next step should be to:

Accepted Answer

A)  save the remainder for another patient with the same prescription.
B)  flush the remainder down the toilet.
C)  read the drug label for specific disposal instructions.
D)  pour remaining medication into a hazardous waste container.

Question 9

Which lab test(s) would be used to assess liver and/or renal function before administering medications? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  CBC
B)  LDH
C)  ALT
D)  Crs
E)  BUNF) aPTT

Question 10

What is the most reliable method to calculate a pediatric patient's medication dosage?

Accepted Answer

A)  Age
B)  Height
C)  Body surface area (BS
A)  
D)  Placement on a growth scale

Question 11

Which is true regarding the unit dose drug distribution system?

Accepted Answer

A)  The inventory is delivered to each nursing unit on a regular and recurring basis.
B)  The system delivers one dose of each medication to be administered until the subsequent delivery of inventory.
C)  The use of single dose packages of drugs dispensed to fill each dose requirement as it is ordered.
D)  The amount of inventory needed to dose all patients on the unit for a 24 hour interval.

Question 12

Where would the procedures and treatments directed by the health care provider be found?

Accepted Answer

A)  Summary sheet
B)  Physician's order form
C)  Physician's progress notes
D)  History and physical examination form

Question 13

Which action will the nurse take if a dosage is unclear on a health care provider's order?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ask the patient what dosage was given in the past.
B)  Ask another physician to determine the correct dosage.
C)  Tell the patient that the medication will not be given.
D)  Contact the health care provider to verify the correct dosage.

Question 14

Which medication route provides the most rapid onset of a medication, but also poses the greatest risk of adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

A)  Intradermal
B)  Subcutaneous (subcut) 
C)  Intramuscular (IM) 
D)  Intravenous (IV)

Question 15

The nurse determines that a prescribed medication has not been administered as ordered on the previous shift.What action will the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

A)  Administer the medication immediately.
B)  Complete an incident report.
C)  Notify the nurse responsible for the error.
D)  Record the occurrence in the nurse's notes.

Question 16

Which action will the nurse take when it is determined that the narcotic count is incorrect while obtaining a medication from the narcotic area?

Accepted Answer

A)  Determine the cause of the discrepancy at the end of the shift.
B)  Notify the health care provider stat.
C)  Call the nurse from the previous shift to determine if there was a discrepancy earlier.
D)  Report the discrepancy to the charge nurse immediately.

Question 17

Which example best demonstrates safe drug administration by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A)  Administering an oral medication with the patient sitting upright
B)  Asking children to say their name before administering the medication
C)  Leaving the medications on the bedside stand after verifying patient identification
D)  Returning the unused portion of a medication to a stock supply bottle

Question 18

Which statement(s) is/are true regarding the types of medication orders? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Stat orders are the same as single dose orders.
B)  Standing orders indicate the number of specified doses of a medication to be given.
C)  Renewal orders facilitate physician review before continuance of high risk medications.
D)  PRN medications will designate a mandatory number of times the medication is to be administered.
E)  Verbal orders should be used as much as possible.

Question 19

Who defines the standards of care for the practice of nursing? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  State boards of nursing
B)  Hospital policy and procedures
C)  Federal laws regulating health care facilities
D)  The Joint Commission
E)  Professional nursing associations

Question 20

What must the nurse have before administering any medication? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  A current license to practice
B)  A medication order signed by a practitioner licensed with prescription privileges
C)  Knowledge of the medication
D)  Consultation with a pharmacist
E)  Knowledge of the client's diagnosis

Exam 7: Principles of Medication Administration and Medication Safety