ATI RN
Medication Administration Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
When the nurse administers an intramuscular (IM) corticosteroid injection, the nurse aspirates. What is the rationale for the nurse aspirating?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The purpose of aspiration is to ensure that the needle is in the muscle and not in the vascular system. Blood return upon aspiration indicates improper placement, and the injection should not be given. While a patient can aspirate fluid and food into the lungs, this is not related to the reason for why a nurse pulls back the syringe plunger after inserting the needle (aspirates) before injecting the medication. Reducing discomfort and prolonging absorption time are not reasons for aspirating medications.
Question 2 of 5
A patient who is being discharged today is going home with an inhaler. The patient is to administer 2 puffs of the inhaler twice daily. The inhaler contains 200 puffs. When should the nurse appropriately advise the patient to refill the medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Six weeks will be about the time the inhaler will need to be refilled. The inhaler should last the patient 50 days (2 puffs x 2/twice daily = 4; 200 / 4 = 50); the nurse should advise the patient to refill the prescription when there are 7 to 10 days of medication remaining. Refilling it as soon as the patient leaves the hospital or when the inhaler is half empty is too early. If the patient waits 50 days, the patient will run out of medication before it can be refilled.
Question 3 of 5
A patient prefers not to take the daily allergy pill this morning because it causes drowsiness throughout the day. Which response by the nurse is best?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should use knowledge about the medication to educate the patient about potential response to medications. Then the medication schedule can be altered based on that knowledge. It is the patient's right to refuse medication; however, the nurse should educate the patient on the importance and effects of the medication. Asking a patient to fit a schedule around a medication is unreasonable and will decrease compliance. The nurse should be supportive and should offer solutions to manage medication effects.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is following safety principles to reduce the risk of needlestick injury. Which actions will the nurse take? (Select ONE that does not apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Needles should not be forced into the box. Clearly mark receptacles to warn of danger. Using needleless systems when possible, will further reduce the risk of needlestick injury. To prevent the risk of needlesticks, the nurse should never recap needles. The syringe and sheath are disposed of together in a receptacle.
Question 5 of 5
A patient's intravenous normal saline infusion of 1000 mL is to be completed in eight hours' time. The drop factor of the giving set is 15 drops per mL. How many drops per minute (dpm) are required to finish the infusion on time?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Total drops = 1000 mL × 15 drops/mL = 15,000 drops. Time = 8 hours = 480 minutes. Drops per minute = 15,000 ÷ 480 ≈ 31.25 dpm, rounded to 31 dpm.