,NURS 251 Pharmacology Module Exam 10 | Portage
Learning / nursing / Geneva College | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following is the first step in the medication administration process?
A) Documenting the medication
B) Verifying the patient's identity
C) Assessing the patient's vital signs
D) Opening the medication packaging
Correct Answer: Verifying the patient's identity
Rationale: Before any medication is prepared or administered, the nurse must verify the patient's
identity using at least two patient-specific identifiers. This is a critical safety step to prevent
medication errors. Assessment, documentation, and opening packaging occur after identity
verification.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the intravenous (IV) route. Which
characteristic is unique to this route?
A) It is the slowest route of absorption
B) It requires the medication to be dissolved in the mouth
C) It provides 100% bioavailability
D) It is affected by the first-pass effect
Correct Answer: It provides 100% bioavailability
Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream, resulting in
complete and immediate absorption, meaning 100% bioavailability. The first-pass effect is bypassed
entirely. This route provides the fastest onset of action, not the slowest.
3. A patient is prescribed a medication with a half-life of 6 hours. How long will it take for the drug to
be completely eliminated from the body?
A) 6 hours
,B) 12 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 30 hours
Correct Answer: 30 hours
Rationale: A drug is considered effectively eliminated from the body after approximately 5 half-lives.
With a half-life of 6 hours, elimination takes 5 × 6 = 30 hours. This principle is fundamental for
determining dosing intervals and preventing accumulation.
4. Which route of administration completely bypasses the first-pass effect?
A) Oral
B) Sublingual
C) Rectal
D) Intravenous
Correct Answer: Intravenous
Rationale: The intravenous route delivers the drug directly into the systemic circulation, completely
bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism. While sublingual and rectal routes partially bypass the first-
pass effect, intravenous administration is the only route that provides absolute avoidance.
5. The nurse is calculating a pediatric dose for a child weighing 22 kg. The order is for 10 mg/kg/day
divided into two doses. What is the dose per administration?
A) 110 mg
B) 220 mg
C) 1100 mg
D) 2200 mg
Correct Answer: 110 mg
, Rationale: First, calculate the total daily dose: 10 mg/kg/day × 22 kg = 220 mg/day. Then, divide by the
number of doses per day (2): 220 mg/day ÷ 2 doses = 110 mg per dose. This is a standard weight-based
calculation for pediatric patients.
6. Which of the following is a correct conversion for liquid medication measurements?
A) 1 tablespoon = 5 mL
B) 1 teaspoon = 15 mL
C) 1 tablespoon = 15 mL
D) 1 ounce = 15 mL
Correct Answer: 1 tablespoon = 15 mL
Rationale: Standard liquid measurement conversions are: 1 teaspoon = 5 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL,
and 1 ounce = 30 mL. Accurate conversions are essential for safe medication administration, especially
for liquid formulations.
7. A patient is prescribed 3500 mg of a medication IV daily. The recommended pediatric weight-based
dosing is 50–75 mg/kg/day. The patient weighs 50 kg. Is this dose safe?
A) No, the dose is below the minimum recommended dose
B) No, the dose is above the maximum recommended dose
C) Yes, the dose falls within the safe range
D) Cannot be determined without additional information
Correct Answer: Yes, the dose falls within the safe range
Rationale: Calculate the range: Minimum = 50 kg × 50 mg/kg = 2500 mg/day. Maximum = 50 kg × 75
mg/kg = 3750 mg/day. The ordered dose of 3500 mg falls within this safe range. A safe dose is one
that is between the minimum and maximum recommended daily doses.
Learning / nursing / Geneva College | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following is the first step in the medication administration process?
A) Documenting the medication
B) Verifying the patient's identity
C) Assessing the patient's vital signs
D) Opening the medication packaging
Correct Answer: Verifying the patient's identity
Rationale: Before any medication is prepared or administered, the nurse must verify the patient's
identity using at least two patient-specific identifiers. This is a critical safety step to prevent
medication errors. Assessment, documentation, and opening packaging occur after identity
verification.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the intravenous (IV) route. Which
characteristic is unique to this route?
A) It is the slowest route of absorption
B) It requires the medication to be dissolved in the mouth
C) It provides 100% bioavailability
D) It is affected by the first-pass effect
Correct Answer: It provides 100% bioavailability
Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream, resulting in
complete and immediate absorption, meaning 100% bioavailability. The first-pass effect is bypassed
entirely. This route provides the fastest onset of action, not the slowest.
3. A patient is prescribed a medication with a half-life of 6 hours. How long will it take for the drug to
be completely eliminated from the body?
A) 6 hours
,B) 12 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 30 hours
Correct Answer: 30 hours
Rationale: A drug is considered effectively eliminated from the body after approximately 5 half-lives.
With a half-life of 6 hours, elimination takes 5 × 6 = 30 hours. This principle is fundamental for
determining dosing intervals and preventing accumulation.
4. Which route of administration completely bypasses the first-pass effect?
A) Oral
B) Sublingual
C) Rectal
D) Intravenous
Correct Answer: Intravenous
Rationale: The intravenous route delivers the drug directly into the systemic circulation, completely
bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism. While sublingual and rectal routes partially bypass the first-
pass effect, intravenous administration is the only route that provides absolute avoidance.
5. The nurse is calculating a pediatric dose for a child weighing 22 kg. The order is for 10 mg/kg/day
divided into two doses. What is the dose per administration?
A) 110 mg
B) 220 mg
C) 1100 mg
D) 2200 mg
Correct Answer: 110 mg
, Rationale: First, calculate the total daily dose: 10 mg/kg/day × 22 kg = 220 mg/day. Then, divide by the
number of doses per day (2): 220 mg/day ÷ 2 doses = 110 mg per dose. This is a standard weight-based
calculation for pediatric patients.
6. Which of the following is a correct conversion for liquid medication measurements?
A) 1 tablespoon = 5 mL
B) 1 teaspoon = 15 mL
C) 1 tablespoon = 15 mL
D) 1 ounce = 15 mL
Correct Answer: 1 tablespoon = 15 mL
Rationale: Standard liquid measurement conversions are: 1 teaspoon = 5 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL,
and 1 ounce = 30 mL. Accurate conversions are essential for safe medication administration, especially
for liquid formulations.
7. A patient is prescribed 3500 mg of a medication IV daily. The recommended pediatric weight-based
dosing is 50–75 mg/kg/day. The patient weighs 50 kg. Is this dose safe?
A) No, the dose is below the minimum recommended dose
B) No, the dose is above the maximum recommended dose
C) Yes, the dose falls within the safe range
D) Cannot be determined without additional information
Correct Answer: Yes, the dose falls within the safe range
Rationale: Calculate the range: Minimum = 50 kg × 50 mg/kg = 2500 mg/day. Maximum = 50 kg × 75
mg/kg = 3750 mg/day. The ordered dose of 3500 mg falls within this safe range. A safe dose is one
that is between the minimum and maximum recommended daily doses.
