,NU 136 Exam 4 | Fundamentals of Nursing | Galen
College | Q & A | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of the nurse in medication administration?
A) To prescribe medications based on patient symptoms
B) To prepare medications and dispense them to patients
C) To administer medications safely and monitor patient responses
D) To diagnose conditions requiring pharmacological intervention
Correct Answer: To administer medications safely and monitor patient responses
Expert Rationale: The nurse's role in medication administration is to administer drugs safely and monitor
the patient's response, including therapeutic effects and adverse reactions. Physicians prescribe,
pharmacists prepare and dispense, and diagnosis is outside the nursing scope of practice.
2. What is the normal serum sodium level for an adult?
A) 125–135 mEq/L
B) 135–145 mEq/L
C) 145–155 mEq/L
D) 155–165 mEq/L
Correct Answer: 135–145 mEq/L
Expert Rationale: The normal serum sodium level is 135–145 mEq/L. Sodium is the most abundant
cation in the extracellular fluid and is essential for water regulation and balance. Levels below 135
indicate hyponatremia, while levels above 145 indicate hypernatremia.
3. According to the six rights of medication administration, which right ensures the correct medication is
given to the correct patient?
A) Right dose
B) Right route
,C) Right patient
D) Right time
Correct Answer: Right patient
Expert Rationale: The six rights of medication administration are: right patient, right drug, right dose,
right route, right time, and right documentation. The right patient ensures the medication is given to the
intended individual, verified by at least two patient identifiers.
4. A patient's serum potassium level is 5.8 mEq/L. Which condition does this finding suggest?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: Hyperkalemia
Expert Rationale: The normal serum potassium range is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. A level of 5.8 mEq/L indicates
hyperkalemia. Potassium is the most abundant cation in intracellular fluid and is essential for nerve
impulse transmission and muscle contraction.
5. When administering a rectal medication, in which position should the patient be placed?
A) Supine position
B) Prone position
C) Left Sims' position
D) Fowler's position
Correct Answer: Left Sims' position
, Expert Rationale: For rectal medication administration, the patient should be placed in the left Sims'
position, with the medication directed toward the wall of the rectum. This position facilitates absorption
and prevents leakage.
6. Which laboratory test is used to monitor a patient receiving warfarin therapy?
A) PTT
B) PT/INR
C) ESR
D) BUN
Correct Answer: PT/INR
Expert Rationale: The PT/INR (prothrombin time/international normalized ratio) is used to monitor
patients taking warfarin. PTT is used to monitor heparin therapy. ESR tests for inflammatory conditions,
and BUN assesses kidney function.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which needle should be used to extract
medication from a vial?
A) A sharp needle to reduce patient discomfort
B) A blunt tip needle to prevent coring
C) A filter needle for all medications
D) The same needle used for injection
Correct Answer: A blunt tip needle to prevent coring
Expert Rationale: A blunt tip needle should be used to extract medication from a vial to prevent coring
(puncturing the rubber stopper). After extraction, the needle should be switched to a sharp needle for
injection to minimize patient discomfort.
8. Which of the following is a normal serum calcium level?
A) 6.5–8.0 mg/dL
College | Q & A | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of the nurse in medication administration?
A) To prescribe medications based on patient symptoms
B) To prepare medications and dispense them to patients
C) To administer medications safely and monitor patient responses
D) To diagnose conditions requiring pharmacological intervention
Correct Answer: To administer medications safely and monitor patient responses
Expert Rationale: The nurse's role in medication administration is to administer drugs safely and monitor
the patient's response, including therapeutic effects and adverse reactions. Physicians prescribe,
pharmacists prepare and dispense, and diagnosis is outside the nursing scope of practice.
2. What is the normal serum sodium level for an adult?
A) 125–135 mEq/L
B) 135–145 mEq/L
C) 145–155 mEq/L
D) 155–165 mEq/L
Correct Answer: 135–145 mEq/L
Expert Rationale: The normal serum sodium level is 135–145 mEq/L. Sodium is the most abundant
cation in the extracellular fluid and is essential for water regulation and balance. Levels below 135
indicate hyponatremia, while levels above 145 indicate hypernatremia.
3. According to the six rights of medication administration, which right ensures the correct medication is
given to the correct patient?
A) Right dose
B) Right route
,C) Right patient
D) Right time
Correct Answer: Right patient
Expert Rationale: The six rights of medication administration are: right patient, right drug, right dose,
right route, right time, and right documentation. The right patient ensures the medication is given to the
intended individual, verified by at least two patient identifiers.
4. A patient's serum potassium level is 5.8 mEq/L. Which condition does this finding suggest?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: Hyperkalemia
Expert Rationale: The normal serum potassium range is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. A level of 5.8 mEq/L indicates
hyperkalemia. Potassium is the most abundant cation in intracellular fluid and is essential for nerve
impulse transmission and muscle contraction.
5. When administering a rectal medication, in which position should the patient be placed?
A) Supine position
B) Prone position
C) Left Sims' position
D) Fowler's position
Correct Answer: Left Sims' position
, Expert Rationale: For rectal medication administration, the patient should be placed in the left Sims'
position, with the medication directed toward the wall of the rectum. This position facilitates absorption
and prevents leakage.
6. Which laboratory test is used to monitor a patient receiving warfarin therapy?
A) PTT
B) PT/INR
C) ESR
D) BUN
Correct Answer: PT/INR
Expert Rationale: The PT/INR (prothrombin time/international normalized ratio) is used to monitor
patients taking warfarin. PTT is used to monitor heparin therapy. ESR tests for inflammatory conditions,
and BUN assesses kidney function.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which needle should be used to extract
medication from a vial?
A) A sharp needle to reduce patient discomfort
B) A blunt tip needle to prevent coring
C) A filter needle for all medications
D) The same needle used for injection
Correct Answer: A blunt tip needle to prevent coring
Expert Rationale: A blunt tip needle should be used to extract medication from a vial to prevent coring
(puncturing the rubber stopper). After extraction, the needle should be switched to a sharp needle for
injection to minimize patient discomfort.
8. Which of the following is a normal serum calcium level?
A) 6.5–8.0 mg/dL
