ATI RN
NCLEX Medication Administration Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A clinic nurse is preparing for a tuberculosis screening. Knowing the injections will be administered intradermally, what size needles and syringes will the nurse prepare?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D) tuberculin syringe, 1/2-inch 26-gauge needle. When preparing for a tuberculosis screening, intradermal injections are commonly used. Tuberculin syringes are specifically designed for this purpose, with a small, fine needle (26-gauge) and a short length (1/2 inch) to ensure shallow administration into the skin layers. Option A) 10-mL syringe, 3-inch 18-gauge needle is incorrect because this combination is more suitable for intramuscular injections due to the larger needle size and length. Option B) 5-mL syringe, 2-inch 20-gauge needle is not appropriate for intradermal injections as the needle gauge and length are not ideal for shallow administration into the skin layers. Option C) insulin syringe, 1-inch 16-gauge needle is not the correct choice for intradermal injections like those used in tuberculosis screenings. Insulin syringes are typically used for subcutaneous injections of insulin and have a larger gauge needle which is not suitable for intradermal injections. Educationally, it is important for nurses to understand the specific requirements for different types of injections to ensure safe and effective administration of medications. Knowing the correct equipment to use for intradermal injections, such as tuberculin syringes with small gauge and short needles, is crucial in providing quality patient care and preventing complications. Mastering these details is essential for success on exams like the NCLEX where medication administration knowledge is tested extensively.
Question 2 of 5
A patient has been prescribed to receive 0.3 mL of U-500 insulin. Which syringe will the nurse use to administer the medication?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Because there is no syringe currently designed to prepare U-500 insulin, many medication errors result with this kind of insulin. To prevent errors, ensure that the order for U-500 specifies units and volume (e.g., 150 units, 0.3 mL of U-500 insulin), and use tuberculin syringes to draw up the doses. A 3 mL and U-100 can result in inaccurate dosing. A needleless syringe will not be acceptable in this situation.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse closely monitors an older adult for signs of medication toxicity. Which physiological change is the reason for the nurse's action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this question, the correct answer is A) Reduced kidney functioning. The rationale behind this is crucial for nurses to understand in the context of medication administration among older adults. Age-related changes in the kidneys, such as decreased glomerular filtration rate, impair the ability of the kidneys to efficiently excrete medications. This can lead to a buildup of drugs in the system, increasing the risk of medication toxicity in older adults. Option B) Reduced esophageal stricture is incorrect because esophageal stricture is not a physiological change associated with aging. Option C) Increased gastric motility is incorrect as gastric motility actually decreases with age. Option D) Increased liver mass is also incorrect as liver mass tends to decrease in older adults, affecting drug metabolism. Educationally, this question highlights the importance of understanding how age-related physiological changes impact medication administration in older adults. Nurses must be vigilant in monitoring for signs of medication toxicity in this population due to altered drug metabolism and excretion processes. Understanding these age-related changes can help nurses provide safe and effective care to older adult patients.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse has withdrawn a narcotic from the medication dispenser and must waste a portion of the medication. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should follow Nurse Practice Acts and safe narcotic administration guidelines by having a nurse witness the 'wasted' medication. The nurse cannot return the wasted medication to the medication dispenser. Wasted portions of medications are not placed in sharps containers. The nurse should not leave the narcotic unattended and call the health care provider to obtain matching dosages; the nurse is expected to obtain the correct dose.
Question 5 of 5
Which patient using an inhaler would benefit most from using a spacer?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A spacer is indicated for a patient who has difficulty coordinating the steps, like patients with limited mobility/coordination. An alert adolescent with a repaired cleft palate would not need a spacer. Hearing impairment may make teaching the patient to use the inhaler difficult, but it does not indicate the need for a spacer. Although a patient with left-sided hemiparesis could have coordination problems, a patient using a dry powder inhaler does not require the use of spacers.