Ethel is an 80-year-old woman who was admitted for dehydration. The nurse reports that she is not making 30 mL/hr of urine and the physician orders a bolus of 250 ml to be infused within 30 minutes. What is the correct drip rate for Ethel's infusion?

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Medication Administration Test Questions and Answers Questions

Question 1 of 5

Ethel is an 80-year-old woman who was admitted for dehydration. The nurse reports that she is not making 30 mL/hr of urine and the physician orders a bolus of 250 ml to be infused within 30 minutes. What is the correct drip rate for Ethel's infusion?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D) 500 mL/hr. This rate is correct because Ethel needs a rapid fluid replacement due to her dehydration, and the physician has ordered a bolus of 250 mL to be infused within 30 minutes. To calculate the drip rate, we use the formula: Volume / (Minutes / 60) = Rate. In this case, 250 mL / (30 / 60) = 250 / 0.5 = 500 mL/hr. This rate ensures that Ethel receives the necessary fluid volume in the specified time frame to address her dehydration effectively. Option A) 250 mL/hr is incorrect as it does not reflect the ordered bolus amount or the urgency of Ethel's situation. Option B) 1000 mL/hr is too high and could potentially lead to fluid overload or other complications in a vulnerable elderly patient like Ethel. Option C) 125 mL/hr is too low to achieve the rapid fluid replacement needed in this scenario. In an educational context, understanding medication administration and infusion rates is crucial for nurses and healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes. By mastering these calculations, healthcare providers can accurately deliver medications and fluids as prescribed, preventing errors and complications. This scenario highlights the importance of precise calculations in medication administration, especially in critical situations such as fluid resuscitation for dehydrated patients.

Question 2 of 5

The nurse is preparing to administer an injection into the deltoid muscle of an adult patient weighing approximately 160 lb. Which needle size and length will the nurse choose?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is option C) 25 gauge x 1 inch for administering an injection into the deltoid muscle of an adult patient weighing approximately 160 lb. The rationale behind this choice is that a 25-gauge needle is appropriate for intramuscular injections as it balances the need for easy penetration with minimal discomfort for the patient. The 1-inch length ensures that the medication is delivered deep enough into the muscle for optimal absorption and effectiveness. Option A) 18 gauge x 1 1/2 inch is too large for a deltoid muscle injection and may cause unnecessary pain and tissue damage. Option B) 23 gauge x 1/2 inch is too short to reach the muscle adequately, risking subcutaneous injection rather than intramuscular. Option D) 27 gauge x 5/8 inch is typically used for intradermal injections, not suitable for reaching the deltoid muscle of an adult. In an educational context, understanding the rationale behind selecting the appropriate needle size and length for injections is crucial for safe and effective medication administration. Nurses must consider factors such as patient characteristics, injection site, and medication properties to make informed decisions that ensure patient comfort and treatment efficacy.

Question 3 of 5

While preparing medications, the nurse knows one of the drug is an acidic medication. In which area does the nurse anticipate the drug will be absorbed?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Stomach. Acidic medications are absorbed in the stomach because the stomach is an acidic environment. The low pH in the stomach aids in the breakdown and absorption of acidic medications. The gastric mucosa allows for rapid absorption of acidic drugs directly into the bloodstream. Option B) Mouth is incorrect because medications are not typically absorbed in the mouth. The oral mucosa is not optimized for drug absorption, especially for acidic medications. Option C) Small intestine is incorrect for acidic medications because drugs that are basic, not acidic, are primarily absorbed in the small intestine. The small intestine is where most nutrients and basic medications are absorbed due to its alkaline environment. Option D) Large intestine is also incorrect as the large intestine's main function is water absorption and storage of fecal matter, not drug absorption. Understanding the absorption of medications based on their properties is crucial for nurses during medication administration. Knowing where and how drugs are absorbed helps ensure their effectiveness and safety for patients. This knowledge also helps nurses anticipate and prevent potential drug interactions or adverse effects.

Question 4 of 5

A patient refuses medication. Which is the nurse's first action?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The first response is to explore reasons the patient does not want the medication. After the assessment, the nurse can decide what to do next. Educating is important, but it is not the first action. Ultimately, the patient does have the right to refuse the medication; however, the nurse should first try to find out reasons for the refusal and provide education if needed based upon the assessment findings. Hiding medication and deceiving a patient into taking a medication is unethical and violates right to autonomy.

Question 5 of 5

The nurse is caring for two patients with the same last name. In this situation which right of medication administration is the priority to reduce the chance of an error?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should ask the patient to verify identity and should check the patient's ID bracelet against the medication record to ensure right patient. Acceptable patient identifies include the patient's name, an identification number assigned by a health care facility, or a telephone number. Do not use the patient's room number as an identifier. To identify a patient correctly in an acute care setting, compare the patient identifiers on the MAR with the patient's identification bracelet while at the patient's bedside. Right medication, right dose, and right route are equally as important, but in this situation, right patient is the priority (two patients with the same last name).

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