ATI RN
Medication Administration NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
When crushing medications in a pill crusher you must:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cleaning after each individual prevents cross-contamination.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is about to receive a morning dose of digoxin and has an apical pulse of 53 beats/minute. Which of the following actions should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate by increasing vagal tone and is contraindicated if the pulse is below 60 beats per minute (bradycardia) unless otherwise specified, due to the risk of worsening bradycardia or toxicity. The first action is to hold the dose (Choice A) to prevent harm, then notify the provider or charge nurse for further guidance. Administering the dose (B) risks patient safety. Notifying others (C, D) is secondary to holding the dose.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following healthcare providers have prescriptive authority? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physicians, dentists, and advance practice nurses (e.g., nurse practitioners) have prescriptive authority under U.S. law, depending on state regulations. Licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, and social workers do not have this authority.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is converting the dosage of a medication to a different unit in the metric system. The medication label specifies the drug as being 0.5 g per tablet. The order is for 500 mg. How many tablets will the nurse give?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 0.5 g = 500 mg (since 1 g = 1000 mg). The order is for 500 mg, so 1 tablet (0.5 g) is sufficient.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is administering a medication that is formulated as enteric-coated tablets. What is the rationale for not crushing or chewing enteric-coated tablets?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Enteric coatings protect the stomach from irritation and ensure the drug is absorbed in the intestines, so they must not be crushed.