NUR 155 Exam 3 Study Guide | 2026/2027
Update | Foundations | Questions 1-200 with
Correct Answers & Rationales
Section 1: Medication Administration & Safety (Questions
1-25)
Question 1
When administering medications, which of the following is considered the most
important action to prevent errors?
A) Checking the patient's room number against the chart
B) Verifying the patient's identity using two unique identifiers
C) Asking the patient if they know what the medication is for
D) Checking the medication label once before administration
Answer: B) Verifying the patient's identity using two unique identifiers
*Rationale: * The Joint Commission requires at least two unique identifiers (e.g., name
and date of birth) to ensure the medication is given to the correct patient. This is the most
critical safety step in medication administration .
,Question 2
A patient is prescribed acetaminophen 650 mg orally every 6 hours as needed for pain.
The nurse has 325 mg tablets available. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
Answer: B) 2 tablets
*Rationale: * 650 mg ÷ 325 mg = 2 tablets. The nurse must calculate accurately and
verify with the "five rights": right patient, drug, dose, route, and time .
Question 3
Which of the following is a 'Right' of medication administration?
A) Right Room
B) Right Hospital
C) Right Physician
D) Right Documentation
Answer: D) Right Documentation
*Rationale: * The core rights include Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route,
Right Time, and Right Documentation .
Question 4
Which angle is most appropriate for administering a subcutaneous injection in a patient
with a normal amount of body fat?
A) 15 degrees
B) 30 degrees
C) 90 degrees
D) 45 degrees
,Answer: D) 45 degrees
*Rationale: * Subcutaneous injections are typically given at a 45-degree angle for
standard patients or 90 degrees if there is more adipose tissue. The 45-degree angle
ensures proper delivery into the subcutaneous tissue .
Question 5
The nurse is administering an intramuscular (IM) injection. Which site is preferred for
adults due to being away from major blood vessels and nerves?
A) Ventrogluteal
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Deltoid
D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: A) Ventrogluteal
*Rationale: * The ventrogluteal site is the preferred and safest site for IM injections in
adults because it is deep and away from major nerves and blood vessels, reducing the risk
of injury .
Question 6
What is the first action a nurse should take after realizing a medication error has
occurred?
A) Complete an incident report
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Assess the patient's condition
D) Call the pharmacy to verify the dose
Answer: C) Assess the patient's condition
*Rationale: * Patient safety is the priority; the nurse must first assess the patient for any
adverse effects before notifying others or documenting the error .
, Question 7
Which action is essential before administering any medication?
A) Documenting the medication in the chart
B) Preparing all medications for the shift at once
C) Scanning the patient's wristband and medication barcode
D) Asking the patient to swallow quickly
Answer: C) Scanning the patient's wristband and medication barcode
*Rationale: * Barcode scanning is a critical safety measure that verifies the "five rights" of
medication administration and helps prevent errors .
Question 8
The nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which of the following is the nurse's primary
responsibility regarding informed consent?
A) Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B) Ensuring the client has signed the consent form and understands it
C) Deciding if the client should undergo the procedure
D) Discussing alternative treatments with the client
Answer: B) Ensuring the client has signed the consent form and understands it
*Rationale: * The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
The nurse's role is to witness the signature and verify that the client is competent and
understands what they are signing .
Question 9
Which site is preferred for IM injections in adults due to lack of large nerves and blood
vessels?
A) Dorsogluteal
B) Ventrogluteal
C) Deltoid
D) Vastus Lateralis
Update | Foundations | Questions 1-200 with
Correct Answers & Rationales
Section 1: Medication Administration & Safety (Questions
1-25)
Question 1
When administering medications, which of the following is considered the most
important action to prevent errors?
A) Checking the patient's room number against the chart
B) Verifying the patient's identity using two unique identifiers
C) Asking the patient if they know what the medication is for
D) Checking the medication label once before administration
Answer: B) Verifying the patient's identity using two unique identifiers
*Rationale: * The Joint Commission requires at least two unique identifiers (e.g., name
and date of birth) to ensure the medication is given to the correct patient. This is the most
critical safety step in medication administration .
,Question 2
A patient is prescribed acetaminophen 650 mg orally every 6 hours as needed for pain.
The nurse has 325 mg tablets available. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
Answer: B) 2 tablets
*Rationale: * 650 mg ÷ 325 mg = 2 tablets. The nurse must calculate accurately and
verify with the "five rights": right patient, drug, dose, route, and time .
Question 3
Which of the following is a 'Right' of medication administration?
A) Right Room
B) Right Hospital
C) Right Physician
D) Right Documentation
Answer: D) Right Documentation
*Rationale: * The core rights include Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route,
Right Time, and Right Documentation .
Question 4
Which angle is most appropriate for administering a subcutaneous injection in a patient
with a normal amount of body fat?
A) 15 degrees
B) 30 degrees
C) 90 degrees
D) 45 degrees
,Answer: D) 45 degrees
*Rationale: * Subcutaneous injections are typically given at a 45-degree angle for
standard patients or 90 degrees if there is more adipose tissue. The 45-degree angle
ensures proper delivery into the subcutaneous tissue .
Question 5
The nurse is administering an intramuscular (IM) injection. Which site is preferred for
adults due to being away from major blood vessels and nerves?
A) Ventrogluteal
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Deltoid
D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: A) Ventrogluteal
*Rationale: * The ventrogluteal site is the preferred and safest site for IM injections in
adults because it is deep and away from major nerves and blood vessels, reducing the risk
of injury .
Question 6
What is the first action a nurse should take after realizing a medication error has
occurred?
A) Complete an incident report
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Assess the patient's condition
D) Call the pharmacy to verify the dose
Answer: C) Assess the patient's condition
*Rationale: * Patient safety is the priority; the nurse must first assess the patient for any
adverse effects before notifying others or documenting the error .
, Question 7
Which action is essential before administering any medication?
A) Documenting the medication in the chart
B) Preparing all medications for the shift at once
C) Scanning the patient's wristband and medication barcode
D) Asking the patient to swallow quickly
Answer: C) Scanning the patient's wristband and medication barcode
*Rationale: * Barcode scanning is a critical safety measure that verifies the "five rights" of
medication administration and helps prevent errors .
Question 8
The nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which of the following is the nurse's primary
responsibility regarding informed consent?
A) Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B) Ensuring the client has signed the consent form and understands it
C) Deciding if the client should undergo the procedure
D) Discussing alternative treatments with the client
Answer: B) Ensuring the client has signed the consent form and understands it
*Rationale: * The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
The nurse's role is to witness the signature and verify that the client is competent and
understands what they are signing .
Question 9
Which site is preferred for IM injections in adults due to lack of large nerves and blood
vessels?
A) Dorsogluteal
B) Ventrogluteal
C) Deltoid
D) Vastus Lateralis
