NSG 352 MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION EXAM 2 |
COMPREHENSIVE NURSING STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
1 of 83
Term
IM injection via ventrogluteal site?
Give this one a go later!
-muscle is small and lies close to the radial nerve and brachial artery
-smaller volumes can be used as compared with other IM sites
-located 2-3 finger breadths below the lower edge of the acromion process
(shoulder) then form a triangle with your fingers
-insert at a 90 degree angle or with the needle slightly angled toward the acromion
process
-medications identified as contributing to harmful errors
-often require double checks and extra precautions prior to administering
-examples:
-concentrated electrolyte solutions (potassium chloride)
-heparin
-insulin
, -morphine
-neuromuscular drugs
-chemotherapy drugs
-located on the lateral hip is free of major blood vessels, nerves, and fat
-considered safest and least painful site for IM injections
-insert needle at 90 degree angle or angled slightly toward iliac crest
-safe to use as they are not located near any large blood vessels or nerves
-rapid rates of administration
-rectus femoris: located midway between the patella and superior iliac crest in the
center of the anterior thigh; convenient for self-injection
-vastus lateralis: one handbreath above the knee and one handbreath below the
greater trochanter on the medial outer portion of the thigh for adults; middle third
of the area between the greater trochanter and the knee on the medial outer aspect
of the thigh for infants and children
Don't know?
2 of 83
Term
Administering medications IV push?
Give this one a go later!
-located on the lateral hip is free of major blood vessels, nerves, and fat
-considered safest and least painful site for IM injections
-insert needle at 90 degree angle or angled slightly toward iliac crest
, -ensure you know first:
-can this medication be given by IV push
-peripheral or central
-how fast
-side effects
-1. clean the injection port with alcohol
-2. flush before with compatible solution, generally normal saline is a safe bet
-3. administer the medication at the correct rate
-4. flush afterward with compatible solution, flush at the same rate as the
medication
-insulin is measured in units and not mL so a special syringe is necessary
-use caution with measurements to ensure that the units/mL of solution are the same
as the units/mL of the syringe
-insulin pens may be used (more commonly in the home than in acute care settings)
-since insulin is given multiple times/day, rotating sites is necessary to avoid tissue
damage
-vials of insulin are good for 30 days unrefrigerated once opened
-high alert medication requires an independent double check
-medications identified as contributing to harmful errors
-often require double checks and extra precautions prior to administering
-examples:
-concentrated electrolyte solutions (potassium chloride)
-heparin
-insulin
-morphine
-neuromuscular drugs
-chemotherapy drugs
Don't know?
3 of 83
Term
, Subcutaneous injections: Commonly used for what? Given where? Sites
used?
Give this one a go later!
-in addition to the precautions of administering heparin, the following apply to
enoxaparin:
-comes in a pre-filled syringe with a needle attacked
-do not remove the bubble of air in the syringe; that is used to "seal" the medication
into the deep subcutaneous tissue
-commonly used for insulin and heparin administration
-given into the subcutaneous tissue (the layer of fat just below the dermis/skin
and above the muscle)
-sites used:
-upper arm
-upper back
-abdomen
-upper buttocks
-thigh
-gauge: 26-30 gauge
-length: 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch
-small volumes are used (0.5 to 1 mL)
-angle: 45-90 degrees
-bunch skin to stabilize the site as needed; more important for patients with less
subcutaneous fat
-absorption is slow, sustained, and complete
-fastest absorption with abdominal site
-slowest with thighs and upper buttocks
-avoid in:
-burns
COMPREHENSIVE NURSING STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
1 of 83
Term
IM injection via ventrogluteal site?
Give this one a go later!
-muscle is small and lies close to the radial nerve and brachial artery
-smaller volumes can be used as compared with other IM sites
-located 2-3 finger breadths below the lower edge of the acromion process
(shoulder) then form a triangle with your fingers
-insert at a 90 degree angle or with the needle slightly angled toward the acromion
process
-medications identified as contributing to harmful errors
-often require double checks and extra precautions prior to administering
-examples:
-concentrated electrolyte solutions (potassium chloride)
-heparin
-insulin
, -morphine
-neuromuscular drugs
-chemotherapy drugs
-located on the lateral hip is free of major blood vessels, nerves, and fat
-considered safest and least painful site for IM injections
-insert needle at 90 degree angle or angled slightly toward iliac crest
-safe to use as they are not located near any large blood vessels or nerves
-rapid rates of administration
-rectus femoris: located midway between the patella and superior iliac crest in the
center of the anterior thigh; convenient for self-injection
-vastus lateralis: one handbreath above the knee and one handbreath below the
greater trochanter on the medial outer portion of the thigh for adults; middle third
of the area between the greater trochanter and the knee on the medial outer aspect
of the thigh for infants and children
Don't know?
2 of 83
Term
Administering medications IV push?
Give this one a go later!
-located on the lateral hip is free of major blood vessels, nerves, and fat
-considered safest and least painful site for IM injections
-insert needle at 90 degree angle or angled slightly toward iliac crest
, -ensure you know first:
-can this medication be given by IV push
-peripheral or central
-how fast
-side effects
-1. clean the injection port with alcohol
-2. flush before with compatible solution, generally normal saline is a safe bet
-3. administer the medication at the correct rate
-4. flush afterward with compatible solution, flush at the same rate as the
medication
-insulin is measured in units and not mL so a special syringe is necessary
-use caution with measurements to ensure that the units/mL of solution are the same
as the units/mL of the syringe
-insulin pens may be used (more commonly in the home than in acute care settings)
-since insulin is given multiple times/day, rotating sites is necessary to avoid tissue
damage
-vials of insulin are good for 30 days unrefrigerated once opened
-high alert medication requires an independent double check
-medications identified as contributing to harmful errors
-often require double checks and extra precautions prior to administering
-examples:
-concentrated electrolyte solutions (potassium chloride)
-heparin
-insulin
-morphine
-neuromuscular drugs
-chemotherapy drugs
Don't know?
3 of 83
Term
, Subcutaneous injections: Commonly used for what? Given where? Sites
used?
Give this one a go later!
-in addition to the precautions of administering heparin, the following apply to
enoxaparin:
-comes in a pre-filled syringe with a needle attacked
-do not remove the bubble of air in the syringe; that is used to "seal" the medication
into the deep subcutaneous tissue
-commonly used for insulin and heparin administration
-given into the subcutaneous tissue (the layer of fat just below the dermis/skin
and above the muscle)
-sites used:
-upper arm
-upper back
-abdomen
-upper buttocks
-thigh
-gauge: 26-30 gauge
-length: 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch
-small volumes are used (0.5 to 1 mL)
-angle: 45-90 degrees
-bunch skin to stabilize the site as needed; more important for patients with less
subcutaneous fat
-absorption is slow, sustained, and complete
-fastest absorption with abdominal site
-slowest with thighs and upper buttocks
-avoid in:
-burns
