,NU 150 — Exam 3: Medication Administration and
Safety; Comprehensive Questions & Verified Answers —
Spring 2026 Edition.
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of medication reconciliation?
A) To list all medications a patient is allergic to
B) To identify discrepancies between current medication orders and the patient’s home medications
C) To document only newly prescribed medications
D) To calculate the cost of the patient’s drug therapy
Correct Answer: To identify discrepancies between current medication orders and the patient’s home
medications
Rationale: Medication reconciliation is the process of comparing a patient’s medication orders to all of
the medications the patient has been taking. This process is required at care transitions to avoid
omissions, duplications, dosing errors, and drug interactions.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication and checks the patient’s identification band. This
action verifies which right of medication administration?
A) Right dose
B) Right time
C) Right patient
D) Right route
Correct Answer: Right patient
Rationale: The right patient is verified using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, before each
medication administration. This is a critical safety step that prevents errors and is part of the “six rights”
of medication administration.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed oral medication. What should the nurse do
first?
A) Chart the refusal and notify the provider later
B) Forcefully administer the medication
C) Explore the patient’s reasons for refusal and provide education about the medication’s purpose
D) Call the nursing supervisor
Correct Answer: Explore the patient’s reasons for refusal and provide education about the medication’s
purpose
Rationale: Respecting patient autonomy requires the nurse to first understand the reasons for refusal,
clarify misconceptions, and educate. If the patient still refuses, the provider is notified and the refusal
documented. Forcing medication constitutes battery.
4. Which medication order should the nurse administer first?
A) A stat dose of epinephrine
B) A PRN order for acetaminophen
C) A standing order for lisinopril
D) A single preoperative antibiotic
Correct Answer: A stat dose of epinephrine
Rationale: A stat order indicates a medication that must be given immediately and only once, often in an
emergency. It takes priority over PRN, standing, or single orders because the patient’s condition may be
life-threatening.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient about sublingual nitroglycerin. The patient should be instructed to
A) swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
B) place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve completely
C) chew the tablet and then swallow
D) place the tablet between the cheek and gum
, Correct Answer: Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve completely
Rationale: Sublingual administration allows the medication to be absorbed directly into the venous
circulation, bypassing the first-pass effect through the liver. The tablet must dissolve under the tongue
for rapid onset.
6. When administering a transdermal patch, the nurse should
A) apply the new patch to the same site as the previous one
B) massage the patch vigorously after application
C) remove the old patch before applying a new one and rotate application sites
D) place a heating pad over the patch to enhance absorption
Correct Answer: Remove the old patch before applying a new one and rotate application sites
Rationale: Old patches must be removed to prevent overdose, and sites should be rotated to avoid skin
irritation. Patches should not be massaged or heated, as this can alter the drug delivery rate and lead to
adverse effects.
7. Which of the following is the correct angle for an intradermal injection?
A) 90 degrees
B) 45 degrees
C) 5 to 15 degrees
D) 20 to 30 degrees
Correct Answer: 5 to 15 degrees
Rationale: Intradermal injections are administered just under the epidermis at a 5- to 15-degree angle,
bevel up, to produce a small bleb. This route is used for tuberculosis screening and allergy testing.
Safety; Comprehensive Questions & Verified Answers —
Spring 2026 Edition.
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of medication reconciliation?
A) To list all medications a patient is allergic to
B) To identify discrepancies between current medication orders and the patient’s home medications
C) To document only newly prescribed medications
D) To calculate the cost of the patient’s drug therapy
Correct Answer: To identify discrepancies between current medication orders and the patient’s home
medications
Rationale: Medication reconciliation is the process of comparing a patient’s medication orders to all of
the medications the patient has been taking. This process is required at care transitions to avoid
omissions, duplications, dosing errors, and drug interactions.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication and checks the patient’s identification band. This
action verifies which right of medication administration?
A) Right dose
B) Right time
C) Right patient
D) Right route
Correct Answer: Right patient
Rationale: The right patient is verified using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, before each
medication administration. This is a critical safety step that prevents errors and is part of the “six rights”
of medication administration.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed oral medication. What should the nurse do
first?
A) Chart the refusal and notify the provider later
B) Forcefully administer the medication
C) Explore the patient’s reasons for refusal and provide education about the medication’s purpose
D) Call the nursing supervisor
Correct Answer: Explore the patient’s reasons for refusal and provide education about the medication’s
purpose
Rationale: Respecting patient autonomy requires the nurse to first understand the reasons for refusal,
clarify misconceptions, and educate. If the patient still refuses, the provider is notified and the refusal
documented. Forcing medication constitutes battery.
4. Which medication order should the nurse administer first?
A) A stat dose of epinephrine
B) A PRN order for acetaminophen
C) A standing order for lisinopril
D) A single preoperative antibiotic
Correct Answer: A stat dose of epinephrine
Rationale: A stat order indicates a medication that must be given immediately and only once, often in an
emergency. It takes priority over PRN, standing, or single orders because the patient’s condition may be
life-threatening.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient about sublingual nitroglycerin. The patient should be instructed to
A) swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
B) place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve completely
C) chew the tablet and then swallow
D) place the tablet between the cheek and gum
, Correct Answer: Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve completely
Rationale: Sublingual administration allows the medication to be absorbed directly into the venous
circulation, bypassing the first-pass effect through the liver. The tablet must dissolve under the tongue
for rapid onset.
6. When administering a transdermal patch, the nurse should
A) apply the new patch to the same site as the previous one
B) massage the patch vigorously after application
C) remove the old patch before applying a new one and rotate application sites
D) place a heating pad over the patch to enhance absorption
Correct Answer: Remove the old patch before applying a new one and rotate application sites
Rationale: Old patches must be removed to prevent overdose, and sites should be rotated to avoid skin
irritation. Patches should not be massaged or heated, as this can alter the drug delivery rate and lead to
adverse effects.
7. Which of the following is the correct angle for an intradermal injection?
A) 90 degrees
B) 45 degrees
C) 5 to 15 degrees
D) 20 to 30 degrees
Correct Answer: 5 to 15 degrees
Rationale: Intradermal injections are administered just under the epidermis at a 5- to 15-degree angle,
bevel up, to produce a small bleb. This route is used for tuberculosis screening and allergy testing.
