ATI RN
NCLEX Questions Medication Administration Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to a 4.8 pound infant. The nurse should position the needle at which angle?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: While 90 degrees is standard for IM injections, a 45-degree angle is used for very small infants (e.g., 4.8 lbs) to avoid penetrating too deeply into limited muscle mass.
Question 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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.