NR 224: Fundamentals of Nursing - Medication Administration 2026
|Chamberlain
1. Which of the following is considered the most important action for a nurse to
take before administering any medication?
A. Verifying the patient’s identity using two identifiers
B. Checking the patient’s room number
C. Asking the patient if they are ready for the medication
D. Documenting the medication in the MAR
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety protocols require verifying the patient’s identity using at least two
identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) to prevent medication errors.
2. When administering a sublingual medication, the nurse should instruct the
patient to:
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
B. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
C. Place the tablet between the cheek and the gum
D. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve
Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue to be absorbed through the
blood vessels; they should not be swallowed or chewed.
,3. What is the primary organ responsible for the metabolism of most
medications?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small Intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism, where enzymes break down
substances for excretion or activation.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an
infant. Which site is the preferred choice?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Vastus Lateralis
Answer: D
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants and toddlers
because it is the most developed muscle in that age group.
5. Which ‘Right’ of medication administration is being followed when the nurse
checks the medication label against the MAR three times?
A. Right Dose
B. Right Time
C. Right Route
D. Right Medication
Answer: D
Rationale: Comparing the label to the MAR ensures the nurse is administering the correct
medication.
, 6. A patient is prescribed an enteric-coated medication. What should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. The tablet can be crushed if it is too large to swallow.
B. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
C. The tablet should be dissolved in water first.
D. Take the medication only on an empty stomach.
Answer: B
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in the small intestine; crushing
or chewing them destroys the coating and can lead to gastric irritation or premature
absorption.
7. Which gauge needle is most appropriate for a subcutaneous injection?
A. 18 gauge
B. 21 gauge
C. 25 gauge
D. 20 gauge
Answer: C
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections typically use smaller needles, ranging from 25 to 27
gauge, to minimize tissue trauma and ensure correct depth.
8. What is the nurse’s priority action if a medication error occurs?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
B. Complete an incident report
C. Assess the patient’s condition and vital signs
D. Inform the nurse manager
Answer: C
Rationale: The patient’s safety is always the priority. The nurse must first assess the
patient for any adverse effects before notifying the provider or documenting the error.
|Chamberlain
1. Which of the following is considered the most important action for a nurse to
take before administering any medication?
A. Verifying the patient’s identity using two identifiers
B. Checking the patient’s room number
C. Asking the patient if they are ready for the medication
D. Documenting the medication in the MAR
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety protocols require verifying the patient’s identity using at least two
identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) to prevent medication errors.
2. When administering a sublingual medication, the nurse should instruct the
patient to:
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
B. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
C. Place the tablet between the cheek and the gum
D. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve
Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue to be absorbed through the
blood vessels; they should not be swallowed or chewed.
,3. What is the primary organ responsible for the metabolism of most
medications?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small Intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism, where enzymes break down
substances for excretion or activation.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an
infant. Which site is the preferred choice?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Vastus Lateralis
Answer: D
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants and toddlers
because it is the most developed muscle in that age group.
5. Which ‘Right’ of medication administration is being followed when the nurse
checks the medication label against the MAR three times?
A. Right Dose
B. Right Time
C. Right Route
D. Right Medication
Answer: D
Rationale: Comparing the label to the MAR ensures the nurse is administering the correct
medication.
, 6. A patient is prescribed an enteric-coated medication. What should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. The tablet can be crushed if it is too large to swallow.
B. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
C. The tablet should be dissolved in water first.
D. Take the medication only on an empty stomach.
Answer: B
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in the small intestine; crushing
or chewing them destroys the coating and can lead to gastric irritation or premature
absorption.
7. Which gauge needle is most appropriate for a subcutaneous injection?
A. 18 gauge
B. 21 gauge
C. 25 gauge
D. 20 gauge
Answer: C
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections typically use smaller needles, ranging from 25 to 27
gauge, to minimize tissue trauma and ensure correct depth.
8. What is the nurse’s priority action if a medication error occurs?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
B. Complete an incident report
C. Assess the patient’s condition and vital signs
D. Inform the nurse manager
Answer: C
Rationale: The patient’s safety is always the priority. The nurse must first assess the
patient for any adverse effects before notifying the provider or documenting the error.
