ATI RN Pediatrics: Medications Practice Exam |
Comprehensive NCLEX-RN Review Questions &
Answers
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a 4-year-
old child who weighs 18 kg (39.6 lb). Which action should the
nurse take before administering the medication?
A. Administer the medication using the household teaspoon.
B. Verify the child's weight in kilograms.
C. Verify the prescribed dose against the child's weight in
kilograms.
D. Crush the medication and mix it with a full bottle of formula.
Answer: C. Verify the prescribed dose against the child's
weight in kilograms.
,Rationale: Pediatric medication doses are commonly calculated
according to body weight, and weight should be documented in
kilograms. Using pounds can result in a significant medication
error. The nurse should compare the prescribed dose with the
child's weight-based recommended dose before administration.
Household teaspoons are inaccurate for medication
measurement. Medication should not routinely be mixed into a
full bottle because the child might not consume the entire bottle
and therefore would not receive the complete dose.
Question 2
A nurse is teaching the parent of a child who is prescribed
amoxicillin. Which statement by the parent indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can stop the medication when my child's symptoms
improve."
B. "I should give the medication for the entire prescribed
duration."
C. "I should save the remaining medication for a future
infection."
D. "I should double the next dose if my child vomits after taking
it."
,Answer: B. "I should give the medication for the entire
prescribed duration."
Rationale: Antibiotics should generally be administered for the
prescribed duration even if the child's symptoms improve before
treatment is completed. Stopping treatment prematurely can
contribute to treatment failure and antimicrobial resistance.
Leftover antibiotics should not be saved for future illnesses
because different infections may require different medications
and doses. If vomiting occurs after medication administration,
the parent should contact the healthcare provider or pharmacist
for instructions rather than automatically repeating or doubling
the dose.
Question 3
A nurse is administering liquid medication to a toddler. Which
method is appropriate?
A. Place the medication at the back of the child's throat.
B. Administer the medication slowly along the inside of the
child's cheek.
C. Mix the medication into a full cup of juice.
, D. Hold the child's nose closed while administering the
medication.
Answer: B. Administer the medication slowly along the inside
of the child's cheek.
Rationale: Administering liquid medication slowly along the
inside of the cheek reduces the risk of aspiration and allows the
child to swallow more safely. Placing medication directly at the
back of the throat can trigger choking or aspiration. Medication
should not be mixed into a large amount of fluid because the
child might not consume the entire amount. Holding the nose
closed is unsafe and can interfere with breathing.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a child receiving digoxin. The child's apical
pulse is 68/min. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Withhold the medication and notify the provider.
B. Administer the medication as prescribed.
C. Administer half of the prescribed dose.
D. Recheck the pulse after the medication is administered.
Answer: A. Withhold the medication and notify the provider.
Comprehensive NCLEX-RN Review Questions &
Answers
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a 4-year-
old child who weighs 18 kg (39.6 lb). Which action should the
nurse take before administering the medication?
A. Administer the medication using the household teaspoon.
B. Verify the child's weight in kilograms.
C. Verify the prescribed dose against the child's weight in
kilograms.
D. Crush the medication and mix it with a full bottle of formula.
Answer: C. Verify the prescribed dose against the child's
weight in kilograms.
,Rationale: Pediatric medication doses are commonly calculated
according to body weight, and weight should be documented in
kilograms. Using pounds can result in a significant medication
error. The nurse should compare the prescribed dose with the
child's weight-based recommended dose before administration.
Household teaspoons are inaccurate for medication
measurement. Medication should not routinely be mixed into a
full bottle because the child might not consume the entire bottle
and therefore would not receive the complete dose.
Question 2
A nurse is teaching the parent of a child who is prescribed
amoxicillin. Which statement by the parent indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can stop the medication when my child's symptoms
improve."
B. "I should give the medication for the entire prescribed
duration."
C. "I should save the remaining medication for a future
infection."
D. "I should double the next dose if my child vomits after taking
it."
,Answer: B. "I should give the medication for the entire
prescribed duration."
Rationale: Antibiotics should generally be administered for the
prescribed duration even if the child's symptoms improve before
treatment is completed. Stopping treatment prematurely can
contribute to treatment failure and antimicrobial resistance.
Leftover antibiotics should not be saved for future illnesses
because different infections may require different medications
and doses. If vomiting occurs after medication administration,
the parent should contact the healthcare provider or pharmacist
for instructions rather than automatically repeating or doubling
the dose.
Question 3
A nurse is administering liquid medication to a toddler. Which
method is appropriate?
A. Place the medication at the back of the child's throat.
B. Administer the medication slowly along the inside of the
child's cheek.
C. Mix the medication into a full cup of juice.
, D. Hold the child's nose closed while administering the
medication.
Answer: B. Administer the medication slowly along the inside
of the child's cheek.
Rationale: Administering liquid medication slowly along the
inside of the cheek reduces the risk of aspiration and allows the
child to swallow more safely. Placing medication directly at the
back of the throat can trigger choking or aspiration. Medication
should not be mixed into a large amount of fluid because the
child might not consume the entire amount. Holding the nose
closed is unsafe and can interfere with breathing.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a child receiving digoxin. The child's apical
pulse is 68/min. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Withhold the medication and notify the provider.
B. Administer the medication as prescribed.
C. Administer half of the prescribed dose.
D. Recheck the pulse after the medication is administered.
Answer: A. Withhold the medication and notify the provider.
