ATI LPN
NCLEX Questions Medication Administration Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is teaching an overweight patient to administer subcutaneous heparin. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patients giving subcutaneous medication should be taught not to aspirate after inserting the needle. They should not apply pressure. The needle should be inserted at a 45- to 90-degree angle. Absorption is slower with this route than with the intramuscular and intravenous (IV) routes.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse will plan to use the Z-track method of intramuscular (IM) injections for which situation?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Z-track method is used for medications known to irritate tissues or for medications that are painful or cause stains to the tissues. It also prevents the deposit of medication into more sensitive subcutaneous tissues. The other options are not appropriate situations for the Z-track method.
Question 3 of 5
While the nurse is assisting a patient in taking his medications, the medication cup falls to the floor, spilling the tablets. What is the nurse's best action at this time?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Medications that fall to the floor must be discarded, and the procedure must be repeated with new medications. The other actions are not appropriate.
Question 4 of 5
A 2-year-old child is to receive eardrops. The nurse is teaching the parent about giving the eardrops. Which statement reflects the proper technique for administering eardrops to this child?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In an infant or a child younger than 3 years of age, the ear canal is straightened by pulling the pinna down and back. In adults, the pinna is pulled up and outward. Pulling the lobe and administering eardrops without pulling on the ear lobe are not appropriate actions.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is preparing to give an aqueous intramuscular (IM) injection to an average-sized adult. Which actions are appropriate? (Select one that does not apply.)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In general, aqueous medications can be given with a 22- to 27-gauge needle, and average needle lengths for adults range from 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle. Checking for blood return is also part of the technique for IM injections to prevent inadvertent administration into the bloodstream. The ventrogluteal site is the preferred site for IM injections in adults. The dorsogluteal site is to be avoided because of proximity to nerves and blood vessels. (Note: Options E and F are 'Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle' and 'Before injecting the medication, withdraw the plunger to check for blood return,' respectively, as corrected from the document's typo of 40 degrees.)