NU 216 NU216 Safe Medication
Administration Basic Concepts Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025 Herzing University
Brookfield
1. What is the “five rights” of medication administration?
Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time
These five rights are essential to ensure safe medication administration and
prevent errors.
2. Before administering a medication, what should a nurse always verify?
The patient’s identity using two identifiers
Using two patient identifiers reduces the risk of medication errors and
ensures the correct patient receives the medication.
3. How long should a nurse wash their hands before medication
administration?
At least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer
Proper hand hygiene is crucial to prevent the transmission of infections.
4. What is the appropriate action if a patient refuses medication?
Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
Patient autonomy must be respected, and refusals should be documented
for safety and legal reasons.
,5. How should oral medications be administered to a patient who has
difficulty swallowing?
With a small amount of water and in an upright position
Positioning upright reduces the risk of aspiration and facilitates swallowing.
6. What is the most accurate method for checking the dosage of liquid
medication?
Use a calibrated medicine cup or syringe
Accurate measurement tools ensure the patient receives the correct dose.
7. What should a nurse do if they notice a discrepancy between the
medication order and the medication label?
Hold the medication and clarify the order with the prescriber
Clarification prevents administration errors and protects patient safety.
8. Why is it important to assess allergies before administering medication?
To prevent allergic reactions or anaphylaxis
Knowing allergies helps avoid life-threatening adverse reactions.
9. How often should a nurse recheck the medication label during
administration?
At least three times: when removing the medication, preparing it, and
before giving it to the patient
Multiple checks reduce medication errors.
10.What is the proper way to document medication administration?
Record the medication name, dose, route, time, and any patient reactions
immediately after administration
Accurate documentation ensures continuity of care and legal protection.
, 11.How can a nurse minimize the risk of medication errors?
By following the five rights and double-checking high-risk medications
Strict adherence to safety protocols reduces errors.
12.What should a nurse do if a medication error occurs?
Report the error immediately and assess the patient
Prompt reporting and assessment help mitigate harm and improve safety
systems.
13.What is the purpose of a “medication reconciliation”?
To ensure accurate medication lists during patient transitions
Medication reconciliation prevents errors like omissions or duplications.
14.Which route of medication administration has the fastest onset?
Intravenous (IV)
IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream for rapid
effect.
15.Why should medications not be left at the patient’s bedside?
Because the nurse is responsible for ensuring the patient takes the
medication
Leaving medications unattended risks incorrect self-administration or loss.
16.What is the first step in preparing medications?
Check the medication order
Confirming the order ensures the correct medication is prepared.
17.How should an ampule be opened?
Use a gauze or alcohol swab to snap the neck away from the body
This technique prevents injury and contamination.
Administration Basic Concepts Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025 Herzing University
Brookfield
1. What is the “five rights” of medication administration?
Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time
These five rights are essential to ensure safe medication administration and
prevent errors.
2. Before administering a medication, what should a nurse always verify?
The patient’s identity using two identifiers
Using two patient identifiers reduces the risk of medication errors and
ensures the correct patient receives the medication.
3. How long should a nurse wash their hands before medication
administration?
At least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer
Proper hand hygiene is crucial to prevent the transmission of infections.
4. What is the appropriate action if a patient refuses medication?
Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
Patient autonomy must be respected, and refusals should be documented
for safety and legal reasons.
,5. How should oral medications be administered to a patient who has
difficulty swallowing?
With a small amount of water and in an upright position
Positioning upright reduces the risk of aspiration and facilitates swallowing.
6. What is the most accurate method for checking the dosage of liquid
medication?
Use a calibrated medicine cup or syringe
Accurate measurement tools ensure the patient receives the correct dose.
7. What should a nurse do if they notice a discrepancy between the
medication order and the medication label?
Hold the medication and clarify the order with the prescriber
Clarification prevents administration errors and protects patient safety.
8. Why is it important to assess allergies before administering medication?
To prevent allergic reactions or anaphylaxis
Knowing allergies helps avoid life-threatening adverse reactions.
9. How often should a nurse recheck the medication label during
administration?
At least three times: when removing the medication, preparing it, and
before giving it to the patient
Multiple checks reduce medication errors.
10.What is the proper way to document medication administration?
Record the medication name, dose, route, time, and any patient reactions
immediately after administration
Accurate documentation ensures continuity of care and legal protection.
, 11.How can a nurse minimize the risk of medication errors?
By following the five rights and double-checking high-risk medications
Strict adherence to safety protocols reduces errors.
12.What should a nurse do if a medication error occurs?
Report the error immediately and assess the patient
Prompt reporting and assessment help mitigate harm and improve safety
systems.
13.What is the purpose of a “medication reconciliation”?
To ensure accurate medication lists during patient transitions
Medication reconciliation prevents errors like omissions or duplications.
14.Which route of medication administration has the fastest onset?
Intravenous (IV)
IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream for rapid
effect.
15.Why should medications not be left at the patient’s bedside?
Because the nurse is responsible for ensuring the patient takes the
medication
Leaving medications unattended risks incorrect self-administration or loss.
16.What is the first step in preparing medications?
Check the medication order
Confirming the order ensures the correct medication is prepared.
17.How should an ampule be opened?
Use a gauze or alcohol swab to snap the neck away from the body
This technique prevents injury and contamination.
