medication administration & pharmacology
nursing foundations questions and answers
25/2026
What does a complete med order consist of? - Answer -name
-dose
-strength
-route
-frequency
Standard(Routine) Orders - Answer an ongoing order until the physician cancels it.
Standing Orders - Answer an order written for a specific circumstance or specific unit(at the
hospital)
Example:you can put a pt on 2 L O2if SpO2 goes under 93% or you can get an EKG for an ER
pt.
PRN Orders - Answer only when a pt needs it and should be very specific including
dosage/frequency/condition
Single(One-Time) Orders - Answer medication order stating that meds can be given ONCE at a
specific time. This is very common before surgery(to maybe help with anxiety)
STAT Order - Answer administered once and has to be given immediately
NOW Order - Answer Order has to be filled immediately or within 15 minutes
What is a nurses role in the route of administration? - Answer -to advocate for the pt
-to make sure that the prescriber states to use the right and appropriate route
, What are the 6 Rights? - Answer 1. Right Meds
2. Right Dose
3. Right Patient
4. Right Route
5. Right Time
6. Right Documentation
Right Meds - Answer -make sure that the drug being given is correct
3 Checks?
-Check when removing from the pyxis
-Check as you remove the amount of medication ordered from the container
-Check at the pt bedside before administering
Right Dose - Answer -have another nurse (charge nurse) check your work when performing
medication calculations
Right Patient - Answer -check unique identifiers
-name
-DOB
-if the pt is confused check wrist band and check account # associated with the hospital
Right Route - Answer -always be an advocate
-ALWAYS consult the prescriber
Right Time - Answer -need to know why certain times are better for certain medications
-Time-Critical Medications: must be given within 30 minutes before or after their scheduled time
Example: insulin's, anticoagulants, antibiotics
-Non-Time-Critical Medications: must be given within 1 hour before or after their scheduled
time
nursing foundations questions and answers
25/2026
What does a complete med order consist of? - Answer -name
-dose
-strength
-route
-frequency
Standard(Routine) Orders - Answer an ongoing order until the physician cancels it.
Standing Orders - Answer an order written for a specific circumstance or specific unit(at the
hospital)
Example:you can put a pt on 2 L O2if SpO2 goes under 93% or you can get an EKG for an ER
pt.
PRN Orders - Answer only when a pt needs it and should be very specific including
dosage/frequency/condition
Single(One-Time) Orders - Answer medication order stating that meds can be given ONCE at a
specific time. This is very common before surgery(to maybe help with anxiety)
STAT Order - Answer administered once and has to be given immediately
NOW Order - Answer Order has to be filled immediately or within 15 minutes
What is a nurses role in the route of administration? - Answer -to advocate for the pt
-to make sure that the prescriber states to use the right and appropriate route
, What are the 6 Rights? - Answer 1. Right Meds
2. Right Dose
3. Right Patient
4. Right Route
5. Right Time
6. Right Documentation
Right Meds - Answer -make sure that the drug being given is correct
3 Checks?
-Check when removing from the pyxis
-Check as you remove the amount of medication ordered from the container
-Check at the pt bedside before administering
Right Dose - Answer -have another nurse (charge nurse) check your work when performing
medication calculations
Right Patient - Answer -check unique identifiers
-name
-DOB
-if the pt is confused check wrist band and check account # associated with the hospital
Right Route - Answer -always be an advocate
-ALWAYS consult the prescriber
Right Time - Answer -need to know why certain times are better for certain medications
-Time-Critical Medications: must be given within 30 minutes before or after their scheduled time
Example: insulin's, anticoagulants, antibiotics
-Non-Time-Critical Medications: must be given within 1 hour before or after their scheduled
time
