NRG 200 Pharmacology for Human Caring
Nursing Exam 2 | Verified Questions and Correct
Answers plus Rationale | New Update 2026/27
A client tells the nurse, "The pill is a different color than the one that I usually take
at home." Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. "Go ahead and take your medicine."
B. "I will recheck your medication orders."
C. "Maybe the doctor ordered a different medication."
D. "I'll leave the pill here while I check with the doctor."
Correct Answer:B. "I will recheck your medication orders."
Rationale: If there is any doubt, the medication administration process should
be interrupted until the question is clarified. Listen to the client. Find out any
other information the client may have about that certain medication. Do not
administer the medication (option 1). Inform the client that you will check the
chart first. Review the chart to make sure there is no discrepancy between the
physician's order and the MAR. Review the physician's progress notes because the
medication may have been increased or reduced as part of the treatment plan
(option 3). Check with the pharmacist because sometimes a pill may be a different
color or shape based on the pharmaceutical company. Do not leave medications
at the bedside. Medications should never be left unattended (option 4). Inform
the client of your findings. The client will appreciate that you took the time to
make sure that he received the correct medication. While it takes time to check
out the client's statement, you will be glad that you avoided a potential
medication error.
,The following medications are listed on a client's medication administration record
(MAR). Which medication order should the nurse question?
A. Lasix 40 mg, po, STAT
B. Ampicillin 500 mg, q6h, IVPB
C. Humulin L (Lente) insulin 36 units, subcutaneously, every morning before
breakfast
D. Codeine q4-6h, po, prn for pain
Correct Answer:D. Codeine q4-6h, po, prn for pain
Rationale: Options 1, 2, and 3 are written appropriately. Option 4 is incorrect
because the dosage is missing from this order.
The primary care provider prescribed 5 mL of a medication to be given deep
intramuscular for a 40-year-old female who is 5'7" tall and weighs 135 pounds.
Which is the most appropriate equipment for the nurse to use? Select all that
apply.
A. Two 3-mL syringes
B. One 5-mL syringe
C. A #20-#23 gauge needle
D. A 1-inch needle
E. A 1 1/2 inch needle
,Correct Answer:A, C, and E (Two 3-mL syringes, A #20-#23 gauge needle, A 1
1/2 inch needle)
Rationale: Five milliliters is too large an amount to inject into one site. The nurse
needs to divide the amount into two 2.5-mL injections. A 3-mL syringe could be
used (option 1). The length of the needle will depend on the muscle development
of the client. The nurse needs to assess the client. The presumption, based on the
information provided, is that this client's muscle mass is within normal limits. The
needle length would need to be 1 1/2 inches because the medication is to be
given "deep IM" (option 5). This also suggests that the medication should be given
in the preferred site for IM injections--the ventrogluteal site-- because it provides
the greatest thickness of the gluteal muscle. The gauge of the needle for an IM
injection into the ventrogluteal muscle can range between #20 and #23 (option 3).
The nurse needs to assess the viscosity of the medication. Smaller gauges (e.g.,
#23) produce less tissue trauma; however, viscous solutions may require a larger
gauge (e.g., #20-#21).
The nurse is to administer 0.75 mL of medication subcutaneously in the upper arm
to a 300-pound client. The nurse can grasp approximately 2 inches of the client's
tissue at the upper arm. Which is the most appropriate for the nurse to use?
A. A tuberculin syringe, #25-#27 gauge, 1/4- to 5/8-inch needle
B. Two 3-mL syringes, #20-#23 gauge, 1 1/2-inch needle
C. 3 mL syringe, #25 gauge, 5/8-inch needle
D. 3 mL syringe, #20-#23 gauge, 1-inch needle
Correct Answer:C. 3 mL syringe, #25 gauge, 5/8-inch needle
Rationale: The type of syringe for subcutaneous injections depends on the
medication to be given. This situation does not indicate that the medication is
insulin, and thus, another syringe is needed. Generally, a 2-3 mL syringe is used for
, most subcutaneous injections. Generally, a #20-#23 gauge needle is used for IM
injections. Needle size and length are based on a client's body mass, the intended
angle of insertion, and the site of the injection. Generally, a #25-gauge, 5/8-inch
needle is used for adults of normal weight and the needle is inserted at a 45
degree angle. Because 2 inches of tissue can be grasped or pinched at the site of
the injection, the nurse should administer the medication at a 90 degree angle to
ensure the medication reaches subcutaneous tissue.
The nurse is to administer a tuberculin test to a client who is 6 feet tall and weighs
180 pounds. Which is the most appropriate for the nurse to use?
A. A tuberculin syringe, #25-#27 gauge, 1/4- to 5/8-inch needle
B. Two 3-mL syringes, #20-#23 gauge, 1 1/2-inch needle
C. 2-mL syringe, #25 gauge, 5/8-inch needle
D. 2-mL syringe, #20-#23 gauge, 1-inch needle
Correct Answer:A. A tuberculin syringe, #25-#27 gauge, 1/4- to 5/8-inch needle
Rationale: A tuberculin test is given by intradermal injection. A tuberculin
syringe is used because the dosage will most likely be 0.1 mL. A short, fine needle
is needed to avoid entering the subcutaneous tissue. The needle should have a
short bevel and usually be between #25 and #27 gauge. The needle should be
between 1/4 to 5/8 inch long.
The nurse is to administer 0.5 mL of a medication by intramuscular injection to an
older emaciated client. Which is the most appropriate for the nurse to use?
A. A tuberculin syringe, #25-#27 gauge, 1/4- to 5/8-inch needle
B. Two 3-mL syringes, #20-#23 gauge, 1 1/2-inch needle
Nursing Exam 2 | Verified Questions and Correct
Answers plus Rationale | New Update 2026/27
A client tells the nurse, "The pill is a different color than the one that I usually take
at home." Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. "Go ahead and take your medicine."
B. "I will recheck your medication orders."
C. "Maybe the doctor ordered a different medication."
D. "I'll leave the pill here while I check with the doctor."
Correct Answer:B. "I will recheck your medication orders."
Rationale: If there is any doubt, the medication administration process should
be interrupted until the question is clarified. Listen to the client. Find out any
other information the client may have about that certain medication. Do not
administer the medication (option 1). Inform the client that you will check the
chart first. Review the chart to make sure there is no discrepancy between the
physician's order and the MAR. Review the physician's progress notes because the
medication may have been increased or reduced as part of the treatment plan
(option 3). Check with the pharmacist because sometimes a pill may be a different
color or shape based on the pharmaceutical company. Do not leave medications
at the bedside. Medications should never be left unattended (option 4). Inform
the client of your findings. The client will appreciate that you took the time to
make sure that he received the correct medication. While it takes time to check
out the client's statement, you will be glad that you avoided a potential
medication error.
,The following medications are listed on a client's medication administration record
(MAR). Which medication order should the nurse question?
A. Lasix 40 mg, po, STAT
B. Ampicillin 500 mg, q6h, IVPB
C. Humulin L (Lente) insulin 36 units, subcutaneously, every morning before
breakfast
D. Codeine q4-6h, po, prn for pain
Correct Answer:D. Codeine q4-6h, po, prn for pain
Rationale: Options 1, 2, and 3 are written appropriately. Option 4 is incorrect
because the dosage is missing from this order.
The primary care provider prescribed 5 mL of a medication to be given deep
intramuscular for a 40-year-old female who is 5'7" tall and weighs 135 pounds.
Which is the most appropriate equipment for the nurse to use? Select all that
apply.
A. Two 3-mL syringes
B. One 5-mL syringe
C. A #20-#23 gauge needle
D. A 1-inch needle
E. A 1 1/2 inch needle
,Correct Answer:A, C, and E (Two 3-mL syringes, A #20-#23 gauge needle, A 1
1/2 inch needle)
Rationale: Five milliliters is too large an amount to inject into one site. The nurse
needs to divide the amount into two 2.5-mL injections. A 3-mL syringe could be
used (option 1). The length of the needle will depend on the muscle development
of the client. The nurse needs to assess the client. The presumption, based on the
information provided, is that this client's muscle mass is within normal limits. The
needle length would need to be 1 1/2 inches because the medication is to be
given "deep IM" (option 5). This also suggests that the medication should be given
in the preferred site for IM injections--the ventrogluteal site-- because it provides
the greatest thickness of the gluteal muscle. The gauge of the needle for an IM
injection into the ventrogluteal muscle can range between #20 and #23 (option 3).
The nurse needs to assess the viscosity of the medication. Smaller gauges (e.g.,
#23) produce less tissue trauma; however, viscous solutions may require a larger
gauge (e.g., #20-#21).
The nurse is to administer 0.75 mL of medication subcutaneously in the upper arm
to a 300-pound client. The nurse can grasp approximately 2 inches of the client's
tissue at the upper arm. Which is the most appropriate for the nurse to use?
A. A tuberculin syringe, #25-#27 gauge, 1/4- to 5/8-inch needle
B. Two 3-mL syringes, #20-#23 gauge, 1 1/2-inch needle
C. 3 mL syringe, #25 gauge, 5/8-inch needle
D. 3 mL syringe, #20-#23 gauge, 1-inch needle
Correct Answer:C. 3 mL syringe, #25 gauge, 5/8-inch needle
Rationale: The type of syringe for subcutaneous injections depends on the
medication to be given. This situation does not indicate that the medication is
insulin, and thus, another syringe is needed. Generally, a 2-3 mL syringe is used for
, most subcutaneous injections. Generally, a #20-#23 gauge needle is used for IM
injections. Needle size and length are based on a client's body mass, the intended
angle of insertion, and the site of the injection. Generally, a #25-gauge, 5/8-inch
needle is used for adults of normal weight and the needle is inserted at a 45
degree angle. Because 2 inches of tissue can be grasped or pinched at the site of
the injection, the nurse should administer the medication at a 90 degree angle to
ensure the medication reaches subcutaneous tissue.
The nurse is to administer a tuberculin test to a client who is 6 feet tall and weighs
180 pounds. Which is the most appropriate for the nurse to use?
A. A tuberculin syringe, #25-#27 gauge, 1/4- to 5/8-inch needle
B. Two 3-mL syringes, #20-#23 gauge, 1 1/2-inch needle
C. 2-mL syringe, #25 gauge, 5/8-inch needle
D. 2-mL syringe, #20-#23 gauge, 1-inch needle
Correct Answer:A. A tuberculin syringe, #25-#27 gauge, 1/4- to 5/8-inch needle
Rationale: A tuberculin test is given by intradermal injection. A tuberculin
syringe is used because the dosage will most likely be 0.1 mL. A short, fine needle
is needed to avoid entering the subcutaneous tissue. The needle should have a
short bevel and usually be between #25 and #27 gauge. The needle should be
between 1/4 to 5/8 inch long.
The nurse is to administer 0.5 mL of a medication by intramuscular injection to an
older emaciated client. Which is the most appropriate for the nurse to use?
A. A tuberculin syringe, #25-#27 gauge, 1/4- to 5/8-inch needle
B. Two 3-mL syringes, #20-#23 gauge, 1 1/2-inch needle
