ATI RN
NCLEX Questions Medication Administration Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is preparing an injection by withdrawing the solution from a multidose vial. What is necessary to facilitate withdrawing a medication from the vial?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Injecting air equal to the volume of liquid withdrawn maintains vial pressure, making it easier to draw the medication.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is preparing to administer an injection to a patient. Which statement made by the patient is an indication for the nurse to use the Z-track method?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Z-track is indicated when the medication being administered has the potential to irritate sensitive tissues. It is recommended that, when administering IM injections, the Z-track method be used to minimize local skin irritation by sealing the medication in muscle tissue. The Z-track method is not meant to reduce discomfort from the procedure. If a patient is allergic to a medication, it should not be administered. If a patient has additional subcutaneous tissue to go through, a needle of a different size may be selected.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is giving an intramuscular (IM) injection. Upon aspiration, the nurse notices blood return in the syringe. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood return upon aspiration indicates improper placement, and the injection should not be given. Instead withdraw the needle, dispose of the syringe and needle properly, and prepare the medication again. Administering the medication into a blood vessel could have dangerous adverse effects, and the medication will be absorbed faster than intended owing to increased blood flow. Holding pressure is not an appropriate intervention. Pulling back the needle slightly does not guarantee proper placement of the needle and medication administration.
Question 4 of 5
A prescription is written for phenytoin 500 mg IM q3-4h prn for pain. The nurse recognizes that treatment of pain is not a standard therapeutic indication for this drug. The nurse believes that the health care provider meant to write hydromorphone. What action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If there is any question about a medication order because it is incomplete, illegible, vague, or not understood, contact the health care provider before administering the medication. The nurse cannot change the order without the prescriber's consent; this is out of the nurse's scope of practice. Ultimately, the nurse can be held responsible for administering an incorrect medication. If the prescriber is unwilling to change the order and does not justify the order in a reasonable and evidence-based manner, the nurse may refuse to give the medication and notify the supervisor.
Question 5 of 5
The supervising nurse is watching nurses prepare medications. Which action by one of the nurses will result in the supervising nurse to intervene immediately?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The only insulin that can be given IV is regular. NPH cannot be given IV and must be stopped. All the rest demonstrate correct practice. Insulin is supposed to be rolled, not shaken. Glargine is supposed to be given by itself; it cannot be mixed with another medication. Correction insulin, also known as sliding-scale insulin, provides a dose of insulin based on the patient's blood glucose level. The term correction insulin is preferred because it indicates that small doses of rapid- or short-acting insulins are needed to correct a patient's elevated blood sugar.