NUR 1020 Exam 3 Review:
Comprehensive Exam with verified
answers and rationale graded A+
new!!
Section 1: Medication Administration & Safety (Questions 1-25)
1. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which of the following is considered the most
critical step in ensuring patient safety?
A. Checking the patient's allergy band.
B. Verifying the physician's order.
C. Identifying the patient using two identifiers.
D. Washing hands before preparation.
Answer: C. Identifying the patient using two identifiers.
Rationale: While all options are important, administering the right medication to the wrong patient
is a critical error. Two patient identifiers (e.g., name and DOB) are the gold standard for safety
before any intervention.
2. A patient is prescribed 500 mg of a medication. The available tablets are 250 mg each. How many
tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Answer: B. 2 tablets
Rationale: Desired dose (500 mg) divided by Have dose (250 mg) equals 2 tablets.
3. Which injection site is preferred for an intramuscular (IM) injection in an adult to avoid nerve
damage?
,A. Dorsogluteal
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Vastus lateralis
Answer: B. Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the safest for adults as it is free of major nerves and blood
vessels, unlike the dorsogluteal site which poses a risk to the sciatic nerve.
4. When administering eye drops, where should the nurse instill the medication?
A. Directly onto the cornea.
B. Into the inner canthus.
C. Into the conjunctival sac.
D. On the eyelid.
Answer: C. Into the conjunctival sac.
Rationale: Instilling into the conjunctival sac prevents direct contact with the sensitive cornea and
ensures proper absorption.
5. The nurse hears a crackling sound while pushing a plunger during an IM injection. What action
should be taken?
A. Push harder to deliver the med.
B. Withdraw the needle and discard the medication.
C. Aspirate to check for blood.
D. Massage the area immediately.
Answer: B. Withdraw the needle and discard the medication.
Rationale: A crackling sound may indicate the needle hit bone or cartilage. The needle is
compromised, and the site is injured; a new needle and site are required.
6. Which "Right" of medication administration is verified when the nurse checks the expiration date?
A. Right Drug
B. Right Dose
C. Right Time
D. Right Form
, Answer: A. Right Drug
Rationale: Checking expiration ensures the medication is chemically stable and safe to use, falling
under the integrity of the "Right Drug."
7. A patient refuses a scheduled medication. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Force the patient to take it.
B. Document the refusal and notify the provider.
C. Crush the medication and hide it in food.
D. Leave the medication at the bedside.
Answer: B. Document the refusal and notify the provider.
Rationale: Patients have the right to refuse. The nurse must document the refusal and inform the
provider to determine if alternative treatment is needed.
8. When administering a subcutaneous injection of heparin, what should the nurse avoid?
A. Using a 25-gauge needle.
B. Aspirating before injection.
C. Pinching the skin.
D. Injecting into the abdomen.
Answer: B. Aspirating before injection.
Rationale: Aspiration is not recommended for subcutaneous heparin injections as it can cause tissue
trauma and hematoma formation.
9. Which route of administration provides the fastest onset of action?
A. Oral (PO)
B. Intramuscular (IM)
C. Intravenous (IV)
D. Subcutaneous (SQ)
Answer: C. Intravenous (IV)
Rationale: IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, bypassing absorption
barriers, resulting in immediate onset.
10. The nurse is administering a piggyback (IVPB) antibiotic. Where should the secondary bag be
hung?
Comprehensive Exam with verified
answers and rationale graded A+
new!!
Section 1: Medication Administration & Safety (Questions 1-25)
1. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which of the following is considered the most
critical step in ensuring patient safety?
A. Checking the patient's allergy band.
B. Verifying the physician's order.
C. Identifying the patient using two identifiers.
D. Washing hands before preparation.
Answer: C. Identifying the patient using two identifiers.
Rationale: While all options are important, administering the right medication to the wrong patient
is a critical error. Two patient identifiers (e.g., name and DOB) are the gold standard for safety
before any intervention.
2. A patient is prescribed 500 mg of a medication. The available tablets are 250 mg each. How many
tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Answer: B. 2 tablets
Rationale: Desired dose (500 mg) divided by Have dose (250 mg) equals 2 tablets.
3. Which injection site is preferred for an intramuscular (IM) injection in an adult to avoid nerve
damage?
,A. Dorsogluteal
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Vastus lateralis
Answer: B. Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the safest for adults as it is free of major nerves and blood
vessels, unlike the dorsogluteal site which poses a risk to the sciatic nerve.
4. When administering eye drops, where should the nurse instill the medication?
A. Directly onto the cornea.
B. Into the inner canthus.
C. Into the conjunctival sac.
D. On the eyelid.
Answer: C. Into the conjunctival sac.
Rationale: Instilling into the conjunctival sac prevents direct contact with the sensitive cornea and
ensures proper absorption.
5. The nurse hears a crackling sound while pushing a plunger during an IM injection. What action
should be taken?
A. Push harder to deliver the med.
B. Withdraw the needle and discard the medication.
C. Aspirate to check for blood.
D. Massage the area immediately.
Answer: B. Withdraw the needle and discard the medication.
Rationale: A crackling sound may indicate the needle hit bone or cartilage. The needle is
compromised, and the site is injured; a new needle and site are required.
6. Which "Right" of medication administration is verified when the nurse checks the expiration date?
A. Right Drug
B. Right Dose
C. Right Time
D. Right Form
, Answer: A. Right Drug
Rationale: Checking expiration ensures the medication is chemically stable and safe to use, falling
under the integrity of the "Right Drug."
7. A patient refuses a scheduled medication. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Force the patient to take it.
B. Document the refusal and notify the provider.
C. Crush the medication and hide it in food.
D. Leave the medication at the bedside.
Answer: B. Document the refusal and notify the provider.
Rationale: Patients have the right to refuse. The nurse must document the refusal and inform the
provider to determine if alternative treatment is needed.
8. When administering a subcutaneous injection of heparin, what should the nurse avoid?
A. Using a 25-gauge needle.
B. Aspirating before injection.
C. Pinching the skin.
D. Injecting into the abdomen.
Answer: B. Aspirating before injection.
Rationale: Aspiration is not recommended for subcutaneous heparin injections as it can cause tissue
trauma and hematoma formation.
9. Which route of administration provides the fastest onset of action?
A. Oral (PO)
B. Intramuscular (IM)
C. Intravenous (IV)
D. Subcutaneous (SQ)
Answer: C. Intravenous (IV)
Rationale: IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, bypassing absorption
barriers, resulting in immediate onset.
10. The nurse is administering a piggyback (IVPB) antibiotic. Where should the secondary bag be
hung?
