ATI Safe Medication Administration: The Complete Comprehensive Study Guide to Safe and Effective Medication Administration, Medication Rights (Right Patient, Drug, Dose, Route, Time, Documentation, Reason, Response, Education, and Refusal), Dosage C

ATI Safe Medication Administration: The Complete Comprehensive Study Guide
to Safe and Effective Medication Administration, Medication Rights (Right
Patient, Drug, Dose, Route, Time, Documentation, Reason, Response, Education,
and Refusal), Dosage Calculations, Medication Reconciliation, High-Alert and
LASA Medications, Prevention of Medication Errors, Patient Assessment Before,
During, and After Medication Administration, Nursing Responsibilities, Patient
Education, Clinical Judgment, Safety Standards, Documentation, ATI RN/PN
Exam Preparation, NCLEX-RN® & NGN Review, Practice Questions with
Rationales, and Comprehensive Nursing Success Resource for Nursing Students
1. A nurse is reviewing a medication administration record. Which abbreviation
requires the nurse to clarify the prescription with the provider?
• A. MS
• B. mL
• C. PO
• D. hr
Answer: A
Rationale: "MS" is an error-prone abbreviation that can mean morphine sulfate
or magnesium sulfate. It is on The Joint Commission's "Do Not Use" list. The
prescription must be written out fully to prevent a dangerous medication error.
The other options are acceptable abbreviations.


2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is
most important to ensure the correct client receives the medication?
• A. Ask the client's name and date of birth.
• B. Check the name on the client's door.
• C. Verify the client's identification band against the MAR.
• D. Call the client by name before entering the room.
Answer: C
Rationale: Using at least two client identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth or

,medical record number) on the client's identification band and comparing them
directly to the medication administration record (MAR) is the standard of care for
positive client identification. Asking the client is a component but must be done in
conjunction with verifying the ID band.


3. Which of the following are the traditional "rights" of medication
administration? (Select all that apply.)
• A. Right dose
• B. Right route
• C. Right documentation
• D. Right client
• E. Right assessment
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: The traditional rights of medication administration include the right
client, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. While documentation
and assessment are critical parts of the medication process, they are not
considered part of the core "rights" for administration.


4. A nurse discovers she has made a medication error. Which action should the
nurse take first?
• A. Notify the provider.
• B. Complete an incident report.
• C. Assess the client for adverse effects.
• D. Report the error to the nurse manager.
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority following a medication error is to assess the client's
condition and ensure their safety. After assessment and any necessary

,interventions, the nurse should notify the provider and then report to the nurse
manager and complete an incident report.


5. The "five rights" of medication administration include:
• A. Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
• B. Right patient, right drug, right room, right time, right documentation
• C. Right patient, right diet, right drug, right dose, right route
• D. Right patient, right drug, right dose, right temperature, right route
Answer: A
Rationale: The five rights ensure safe administration and prevent errors. The core
rights are right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time.


6. Before giving a medication, the nurse should verify the patient's:
• A. Allergies
• B. Marital status
• C. Blood type
• D. Occupation
Answer: A
Rationale: Checking for allergies prevents allergic reactions or adverse effects.
This is a critical safety step before any medication administration.


7. The correct technique for oral medication administration includes:
• A. Sit patient upright, check swallowing ability
• B. Give patient lying flat
• C. Crush all medications regardless of type
• D. Administer without water

, Answer: A
Rationale: Sitting the patient upright and checking swallowing ability reduces the
risk of aspiration.


8. Which route delivers medication directly into the bloodstream?
• A. Intravenous (IV)
• B. Oral
• C. Topical
• D. Subcutaneous
Answer: A
Rationale: IV medications have an immediate systemic effect because they are
delivered directly into the bloodstream.


9. A nurse is administering a new antibiotic. Which action is the priority?
• A. Check for patient allergy to the drug
• B. Offer food
• C. Document only
• D. Give without assessment
Answer: A
Rationale: Checking for patient allergy prevents life-threatening reactions. This is
the priority action before administering any new medication.


10. When administering insulin subcutaneously, the nurse should:
• A. Rotate injection sites
• B. Use the same site every time
• C. Inject intramuscularly