NCLEX RN Pharmacological & Parenteral
Therapies Exam 1 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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1.
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action is most
important before giving the medication?
A. Ask the client about their favorite medication
B. Check the medication expiration date only
C. Verify the medication against the prescription and client identifiers
D. Document the medication before administration
Answer: C. Verify the medication against the prescription and client
identifiers
Rationale: Medication verification and use of appropriate client
identifiers are essential to prevent medication errors.
2.
Which medication route provides the fastest systemic effect?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
,Answer: C. Intravenous
Rationale: IV medications enter the bloodstream directly and therefore
have an immediate systemic availability.
3.
A client receiving an IV medication suddenly develops wheezing and
facial swelling. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the infusion
B. Stop the medication and assess airway and breathing
C. Document the reaction
D. Place the client in a supine position
Answer: B. Stop the medication and assess airway and breathing
Rationale: Wheezing and facial swelling may indicate anaphylaxis. The
medication should be stopped and airway and breathing immediately
assessed.
4.
Which medication administration route is considered enteral?
A. Intravenous
B. Intramuscular
C. Oral
D. Subcutaneous
Answer: C. Oral
Rationale: Enteral medications are administered through the
gastrointestinal tract, such as oral and feeding-tube routes.
5.
,The nurse is administering an oral medication. Which assessment is
most important?
A. Whether the client can swallow safely
B. Whether the client prefers tablets
C. Whether the client has visitors
D. Whether the client is watching television
Answer: A. Whether the client can swallow safely
Rationale: Assessing swallowing ability helps prevent aspiration.
6.
Which abbreviation should the nurse avoid because it can cause
medication errors?
A. PO
B. IV
C. U for units
D. IM
Answer: C. U for units
Rationale: The abbreviation “U” can be mistaken for a zero or other
characters. “Units” should be written completely.
7.
A medication is prescribed at 0800, 1400, and 2000. Which principle is
the nurse applying?
A. PRN administration
B. Scheduled administration
C. STAT administration
D. One-time administration
Answer: B. Scheduled administration
, Rationale: Scheduled medications are given at specified times according
to the prescription.
8.
Which medication should the nurse question before administering?
A. A medication with a clearly written prescription
B. A medication that is expired
C. A medication with an intact label
D. A medication stored according to instructions
Answer: B. A medication that is expired
Rationale: Expired medications should not be administered because
potency and safety may be compromised.
9.
The nurse discovers that a client received the wrong medication. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Notify the family
C. Assess the client
D. Document that the medication was incorrect
Answer: C. Assess the client
Rationale: The client's immediate safety is the priority after a
medication error.
10.
Which action helps prevent medication errors?
A. Using room number as the only identifier
B. Preparing medications for several clients at once
Therapies Exam 1 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1.
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action is most
important before giving the medication?
A. Ask the client about their favorite medication
B. Check the medication expiration date only
C. Verify the medication against the prescription and client identifiers
D. Document the medication before administration
Answer: C. Verify the medication against the prescription and client
identifiers
Rationale: Medication verification and use of appropriate client
identifiers are essential to prevent medication errors.
2.
Which medication route provides the fastest systemic effect?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
,Answer: C. Intravenous
Rationale: IV medications enter the bloodstream directly and therefore
have an immediate systemic availability.
3.
A client receiving an IV medication suddenly develops wheezing and
facial swelling. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the infusion
B. Stop the medication and assess airway and breathing
C. Document the reaction
D. Place the client in a supine position
Answer: B. Stop the medication and assess airway and breathing
Rationale: Wheezing and facial swelling may indicate anaphylaxis. The
medication should be stopped and airway and breathing immediately
assessed.
4.
Which medication administration route is considered enteral?
A. Intravenous
B. Intramuscular
C. Oral
D. Subcutaneous
Answer: C. Oral
Rationale: Enteral medications are administered through the
gastrointestinal tract, such as oral and feeding-tube routes.
5.
,The nurse is administering an oral medication. Which assessment is
most important?
A. Whether the client can swallow safely
B. Whether the client prefers tablets
C. Whether the client has visitors
D. Whether the client is watching television
Answer: A. Whether the client can swallow safely
Rationale: Assessing swallowing ability helps prevent aspiration.
6.
Which abbreviation should the nurse avoid because it can cause
medication errors?
A. PO
B. IV
C. U for units
D. IM
Answer: C. U for units
Rationale: The abbreviation “U” can be mistaken for a zero or other
characters. “Units” should be written completely.
7.
A medication is prescribed at 0800, 1400, and 2000. Which principle is
the nurse applying?
A. PRN administration
B. Scheduled administration
C. STAT administration
D. One-time administration
Answer: B. Scheduled administration
, Rationale: Scheduled medications are given at specified times according
to the prescription.
8.
Which medication should the nurse question before administering?
A. A medication with a clearly written prescription
B. A medication that is expired
C. A medication with an intact label
D. A medication stored according to instructions
Answer: B. A medication that is expired
Rationale: Expired medications should not be administered because
potency and safety may be compromised.
9.
The nurse discovers that a client received the wrong medication. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Notify the family
C. Assess the client
D. Document that the medication was incorrect
Answer: C. Assess the client
Rationale: The client's immediate safety is the priority after a
medication error.
10.
Which action helps prevent medication errors?
A. Using room number as the only identifier
B. Preparing medications for several clients at once