NUR 331 Exam 1 Questions And Correct
Answers | Latest Update 2026/2027 | Graded A+ |
Guaranteed A+.
6 rights of medication administration
1. Right medication
2. Right patient
3. Right dose
4. Right time
5. Right documentation
6. Right route
Tips for preventing med errors
-Use two forms of patient ID
-Check med label at least 3x prior to administration
-Explain to pt. which med you are administering and show it to them (sometimes they
know their own meds well and may stop you from handing them the wrong drug!) -Waste
high-alert drugs with someone else watching!
conversation/distraction while preparing meds
Safety : terminology, when not to crush PO meds, high alert meds, etc.
Look alike/sound alike drugs : part of why it is so important to scan meds and check
labels multiple times! Atenolol vs. albuterol; carvedilol vs. captopril ; epinephrine vs.
norepinephrine, etc.
Crushing: medications that should never be crushed include buccal, sublingual,
sustained-release and enteric-coated. Too much of the medication will be released into
,the blood stream too quickly. This increases the risks of overdose/SEs and means there
could be a period of time where you won't be benefitting at all
High-alert: insulin, opiates and narcotics, injectable potassium chloride (phosphate),
intravenous anti-coagulants (heparin, warfarin) and sodium chloride solutions above
0.9%
Mnemonic: Islands On Neptune, Pretty Cool Spot
Forms and routes: which routes work more quickly, less quickly?
Forms:
• Tablets/Capsules
• Liquids
• Transdermal
• Topicals
• Instillations (drops)
• Inhalations
• Nasogastric/Gastrostomy Tubes
• Suppositories
, • Parenteral
Routes: IV, IM, SC, PR, PO, inhalation, transdermal
IV most rapid onset, inhalation can also be quite rapid. Oral largely dependent on first-
pass effect, not as reliable. Don't have to worry as much about first-pass for rectal.
Transdermal avoids first-pass all together and is longacting but absorbed very slowly
Distribution
the reversible movement of a drug from one site in the body to another, via blood to
different tissues
Metabolism
the process of biotransformation-usually by enzymes-in which one chemical species is
changed into another
Excretion
excretion-the removal of drugs from the body, either as a metabolite or unchanged drug
Half-life
the length of time in which ½ of the original concentration of drug remains in the body
Lipid-soluble drugs
Because they are lipid soluble, or hydrophobic, these drugs easily pass through the cell
walls. However, they must be water soluble, or hydrophilic, enough to dissolve in
aqueous fluids such as within the bloodstream and gastric juice. They can also pass
through the BBB which could be beneficial or cause adverse effects
Water-soluble drugs
Such drugs are completely soluble in water, remaining in the blood for an extended
period. They also show reduced side effects, high solubility, and enhance bioavailability
and efficiency
First-Pass Effect and Bioavailability
Answers | Latest Update 2026/2027 | Graded A+ |
Guaranteed A+.
6 rights of medication administration
1. Right medication
2. Right patient
3. Right dose
4. Right time
5. Right documentation
6. Right route
Tips for preventing med errors
-Use two forms of patient ID
-Check med label at least 3x prior to administration
-Explain to pt. which med you are administering and show it to them (sometimes they
know their own meds well and may stop you from handing them the wrong drug!) -Waste
high-alert drugs with someone else watching!
conversation/distraction while preparing meds
Safety : terminology, when not to crush PO meds, high alert meds, etc.
Look alike/sound alike drugs : part of why it is so important to scan meds and check
labels multiple times! Atenolol vs. albuterol; carvedilol vs. captopril ; epinephrine vs.
norepinephrine, etc.
Crushing: medications that should never be crushed include buccal, sublingual,
sustained-release and enteric-coated. Too much of the medication will be released into
,the blood stream too quickly. This increases the risks of overdose/SEs and means there
could be a period of time where you won't be benefitting at all
High-alert: insulin, opiates and narcotics, injectable potassium chloride (phosphate),
intravenous anti-coagulants (heparin, warfarin) and sodium chloride solutions above
0.9%
Mnemonic: Islands On Neptune, Pretty Cool Spot
Forms and routes: which routes work more quickly, less quickly?
Forms:
• Tablets/Capsules
• Liquids
• Transdermal
• Topicals
• Instillations (drops)
• Inhalations
• Nasogastric/Gastrostomy Tubes
• Suppositories
, • Parenteral
Routes: IV, IM, SC, PR, PO, inhalation, transdermal
IV most rapid onset, inhalation can also be quite rapid. Oral largely dependent on first-
pass effect, not as reliable. Don't have to worry as much about first-pass for rectal.
Transdermal avoids first-pass all together and is longacting but absorbed very slowly
Distribution
the reversible movement of a drug from one site in the body to another, via blood to
different tissues
Metabolism
the process of biotransformation-usually by enzymes-in which one chemical species is
changed into another
Excretion
excretion-the removal of drugs from the body, either as a metabolite or unchanged drug
Half-life
the length of time in which ½ of the original concentration of drug remains in the body
Lipid-soluble drugs
Because they are lipid soluble, or hydrophobic, these drugs easily pass through the cell
walls. However, they must be water soluble, or hydrophilic, enough to dissolve in
aqueous fluids such as within the bloodstream and gastric juice. They can also pass
through the BBB which could be beneficial or cause adverse effects
Water-soluble drugs
Such drugs are completely soluble in water, remaining in the blood for an extended
period. They also show reduced side effects, high solubility, and enhance bioavailability
and efficiency
First-Pass Effect and Bioavailability
