Chapter 31: Medication
Administration Questions and
Answers.
The nurse is having difficulty reading a physician's order for a medication. He or she knows that the
physician is very busy and does not like to be called. What is the most appropriate next step for the
nurse to take?
A. call a pharmacist to interpret the order
B. call the physician to have the order clarified
C. consult the unit manager to help interpret the order
D. ask the unit secretary to interpret the physician's handwriting - Answer
You must have the right documentation and clarify all orders with the prescriber before
administering medications.
The patient has an order for 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia. How much medication does the
nurse give him or her?
A. 2 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 16 mL
D. 30 mL - Answered
1 tablespoon = 15 mL
2 tablespoons = 30 mL
A nurse is administering eardrops to an 8-year old patient with an ear infection. How does the nurse
pull the patient's ear when administering the medication?
A. outward
B. back
C. upward and back
, D. upward and outward - Answered
Eardrops are administered with the ear positioned upward and outward for patients greater than 3
years of age.
A patient is to receive cephalexin (Keflex) 500 mg PO. The pharmacy has sent 250-mg tablets. How
many tablets does the nurse administer?
a. 1/2 tablet
b. 1 tablet
C. 1 1/2 tablets
d. 2 tablets - Answered
Using dimensional analysis:
Tablets = 1 tablet/250 mg × 500 mg = 500/250 = 2 tablets.
A nurse is administering medications to a 4-year-old patient. After he or she explains which
medications are being given, the mother states, "I don't remember my child having that medication
before." What is the nurse's next action?
a. Give the medications
b. Identify the patient using two patient identifiers
c. Withhold the medications and verify the medication orders
d. Provide medication education to the mother to help her better understand her child's
medications - Answer
Do not ignore patient or caregiver concerns; always verify orders whenever a medication is
questioned before administering it.
A patient is transitioning from the hospital to the home environment. A home care referral is
obtained. What is a priority in relation to safe medication administration for the discharge nurse?
a. Set up the follow-up appointments with the physician for the patient.
Administration Questions and
Answers.
The nurse is having difficulty reading a physician's order for a medication. He or she knows that the
physician is very busy and does not like to be called. What is the most appropriate next step for the
nurse to take?
A. call a pharmacist to interpret the order
B. call the physician to have the order clarified
C. consult the unit manager to help interpret the order
D. ask the unit secretary to interpret the physician's handwriting - Answer
You must have the right documentation and clarify all orders with the prescriber before
administering medications.
The patient has an order for 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia. How much medication does the
nurse give him or her?
A. 2 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 16 mL
D. 30 mL - Answered
1 tablespoon = 15 mL
2 tablespoons = 30 mL
A nurse is administering eardrops to an 8-year old patient with an ear infection. How does the nurse
pull the patient's ear when administering the medication?
A. outward
B. back
C. upward and back
, D. upward and outward - Answered
Eardrops are administered with the ear positioned upward and outward for patients greater than 3
years of age.
A patient is to receive cephalexin (Keflex) 500 mg PO. The pharmacy has sent 250-mg tablets. How
many tablets does the nurse administer?
a. 1/2 tablet
b. 1 tablet
C. 1 1/2 tablets
d. 2 tablets - Answered
Using dimensional analysis:
Tablets = 1 tablet/250 mg × 500 mg = 500/250 = 2 tablets.
A nurse is administering medications to a 4-year-old patient. After he or she explains which
medications are being given, the mother states, "I don't remember my child having that medication
before." What is the nurse's next action?
a. Give the medications
b. Identify the patient using two patient identifiers
c. Withhold the medications and verify the medication orders
d. Provide medication education to the mother to help her better understand her child's
medications - Answer
Do not ignore patient or caregiver concerns; always verify orders whenever a medication is
questioned before administering it.
A patient is transitioning from the hospital to the home environment. A home care referral is
obtained. What is a priority in relation to safe medication administration for the discharge nurse?
a. Set up the follow-up appointments with the physician for the patient.
