ATI RN
NCLEX Medication Administration Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A physician orders Cipro 500 mg, PO q 12 h for a patient with bronchial pneumonia. The nurse has Cipro 250 mg on hand. How many tablets would the nurse dispense?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is C) 2 tablets. The rationale behind this answer is based on the prescribed dose of Cipro being 500 mg every 12 hours, and the available tablets being 250 mg each. To achieve the prescribed dose, the nurse would need to administer 2 tablets of Cipro (250 mg x 2 = 500 mg) per dose. Option A) 1/2 tablet is incorrect because it would only provide 125 mg of the required 500 mg dose. Option B) 1 tablet would also fall short of the prescribed 500 mg dose. Option D) 2 1/2 tablets would exceed the prescribed 500 mg dose. Understanding medication calculations and dosage administration is crucial for nurses to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. By mastering these skills, nurses can accurately prepare and administer medications, reducing the risk of medication errors. This type of question on the NCLEX tests the nurse's ability to calculate medication dosages accurately, a skill essential for safe nursing practice.
Question 2 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 3 of 5
The geriatric nurse is administering nightly medications to a 65-year-old woman with dysphagia. The patient is able to swallow crushed medications with thickened liquids. Which of the following medications should the nurse not crush?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A) Pantoprazole ER. Pantoprazole ER is an extended-release medication, which means it is designed to release the drug slowly over time. Crushing an extended-release medication like Pantoprazole ER can disrupt the special coating that controls the release of the medication. When crushed, the medication is absorbed too quickly, which can lead to potential overdose or adverse effects due to the rapid release of the entire dose at once. Option B) Multivitamins, and Option C) Acetaminophen are medications that can typically be crushed for patients with swallowing difficulties, like the 65-year-old woman in this scenario. These medications do not have special coatings or formulations that are altered by crushing, making them safe to crush for administration with thickened liquids. Option D) Potassium chloride should also not be crushed, as it is a medication that can be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. Crushing potassium chloride can lead to gastrointestinal irritation or even ulceration due to its high potency. It is often recommended to use alternative dosage forms or formulations for patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules. In an educational context, it is crucial for nurses to understand the implications of crushing medications, especially when caring for patients with dysphagia or swallowing difficulties. Nurses must be aware of which medications can and cannot be crushed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of drug administration. Proper medication administration techniques are essential in preventing medication errors and adverse reactions in vulnerable patient populations, such as the elderly.
Question 4 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 5 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.