ATI RN
NCLEX Questions Medication Administration Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication from a vial. In which order will the nurse perform the steps, starting with the first step? 1. Invert the vial. 2. Fill the syringe with medication. 3. Inject air into the airspace of the vial. 4. Clean with alcohol swab and allow to dry. 5. Pull back on the plunger the amount to be drawn up. 6. Tap the side of the syringe barrel to remove air bubbles.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When preparing medication from a vial, the steps are as follows: Firmly and briskly wipe the surface of the rubber seal with an alcohol swab and allow to dry; pull back on the plunger to draw an amount of air into the syringe equal to the volume of medication to be aspirated from the vial; inject air into the airspace of the vial; invert the vial while keeping firm hold on the syringe and plunger; fill the syringe with medication; and tap the side of the syringe barrel carefully to dislodge any air bubbles.
Question 5 of 5
Which methods will the nurse use to administer an intravenous (IV) medication that is incompatible with the patient's IV fluid? (Select one that does not apply.)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When IV medication is incompatible with IV fluids, stop the IV fluids, clamp the IV line above the injection site, flush with 10 mL of normal saline or sterile water, give the IV bolus over the appropriate amount of time, flush with another 10 mL of normal saline or sterile water at the same rate as the medication was administered, and restart the IV fluids at the prescribed rate. Do not administer the drug slowly with the IV; this is contraindicated when incompatibility exist. Not giving the medication and charting is inappropriate; this is not a prudent or safe action by the nurse.