Comprehensive
Pharmacology &
Medication Safety
Examination
2026/2027
,**Question 1**
The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is a high-alert medication. Which action is most
important for the nurse to take?
A. Administer the medication without a second check
B. Use a second nurse to verify the medication dose
C. Administer the medication via the oral route only
D. Document the medication administration after the shift
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: High-alert medications require an independent double-check by two licensed
nurses to verify the medication, dose, route, and client before administration. This is a critical patient
safety measure to prevent medication errors. High-alert medications have a high risk of causing
significant patient harm when used in error.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Use a second nurse to verify the medication dose
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is administering an IV push medication. Which action is correct?
A. Administer the medication over 1-2 minutes
B. Flush the IV line with normal saline before and after administration
C. Administer the medication through a port closest to the client
D. Use a 25-gauge needle for administration
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: When administering an IV push medication, the IV line should be flushed with
normal saline before and after administration to ensure the medication is fully delivered and to prevent
incompatibility reactions. The rate of administration depends on the medication. A port closest to the
client is used for bolus administration, but flushing is the priority.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Flush the IV line with normal saline before and after administration
---
**Question 3**
The nurse is providing education to a client prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which instruction is most
important?
A. "Avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables."
B. "Take ibuprofen for pain instead of acetaminophen."
C. "You can stop taking this medication if you feel well."
D. "You will not need to have your blood tested if you feel well."
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin K
and can interfere with the medication's effectiveness. The client should maintain a consistent intake of
vitamin K. Ibuprofen should be avoided due to the risk of bleeding. Regular INR monitoring is essential
to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent complications.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. "Avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables."
---
, **Question 4**
The nurse is preparing to administer an insulin injection. Which action is correct?
A. Administer insulin at room temperature
B. Use the same injection site for all administrations
C. Administer insulin in the deltoid muscle
D. Shake the insulin vial vigorously before use
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Insulin should be administered at room temperature to reduce pain and
improve absorption. Injection sites should be rotated to prevent lipohypertrophy. Insulin is administered
subcutaneously, not intramuscularly. The vial should be rolled gently, not shaken, to avoid denaturing
the insulin.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Administer insulin at room temperature
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is providing education to a client prescribed metformin (Glucophage). Which instruction is
most important?
A. "Take this medication with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset."
B. "This medication may cause hypoglycemia, so carry glucose tablets."
C. "It is safe to drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Pharmacology &
Medication Safety
Examination
2026/2027
,**Question 1**
The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is a high-alert medication. Which action is most
important for the nurse to take?
A. Administer the medication without a second check
B. Use a second nurse to verify the medication dose
C. Administer the medication via the oral route only
D. Document the medication administration after the shift
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: High-alert medications require an independent double-check by two licensed
nurses to verify the medication, dose, route, and client before administration. This is a critical patient
safety measure to prevent medication errors. High-alert medications have a high risk of causing
significant patient harm when used in error.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Use a second nurse to verify the medication dose
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is administering an IV push medication. Which action is correct?
A. Administer the medication over 1-2 minutes
B. Flush the IV line with normal saline before and after administration
C. Administer the medication through a port closest to the client
D. Use a 25-gauge needle for administration
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: When administering an IV push medication, the IV line should be flushed with
normal saline before and after administration to ensure the medication is fully delivered and to prevent
incompatibility reactions. The rate of administration depends on the medication. A port closest to the
client is used for bolus administration, but flushing is the priority.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Flush the IV line with normal saline before and after administration
---
**Question 3**
The nurse is providing education to a client prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which instruction is most
important?
A. "Avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables."
B. "Take ibuprofen for pain instead of acetaminophen."
C. "You can stop taking this medication if you feel well."
D. "You will not need to have your blood tested if you feel well."
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin K
and can interfere with the medication's effectiveness. The client should maintain a consistent intake of
vitamin K. Ibuprofen should be avoided due to the risk of bleeding. Regular INR monitoring is essential
to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent complications.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. "Avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables."
---
, **Question 4**
The nurse is preparing to administer an insulin injection. Which action is correct?
A. Administer insulin at room temperature
B. Use the same injection site for all administrations
C. Administer insulin in the deltoid muscle
D. Shake the insulin vial vigorously before use
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Insulin should be administered at room temperature to reduce pain and
improve absorption. Injection sites should be rotated to prevent lipohypertrophy. Insulin is administered
subcutaneously, not intramuscularly. The vial should be rolled gently, not shaken, to avoid denaturing
the insulin.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Administer insulin at room temperature
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is providing education to a client prescribed metformin (Glucophage). Which instruction is
most important?
A. "Take this medication with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset."
B. "This medication may cause hypoglycemia, so carry glucose tablets."
C. "It is safe to drink alcohol while taking this medication."
