NURS 225 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION BASED ON FINAL EXAM!!
What are the common routes for parenteral medication administration?
answers: Intravenous (IV) - into the vein
Subcutaneous - into the subcutaneous tissue (lowest layer of skin)
Intradermal - into the space between the dermis and epidermis
Intramuscular (IM) - into the muscle
What factors determine the use of the parenteral route for medication?
answers: The client's condition (e.g., vomiting prevents oral intake)
The type of medication (e.g., some drugs are ineffective or unsafe orally)
The urgency of treatment (e.g., serious infections may need fast-acting parenteral
meds)
Why might slim older adult clients require special consideration for parenteral
medication?
answers: · They may not tolerate the maximum dose due to reduced tissue mass,
so dosage and site selection need to be adjusted.
What is the maximum volume for IM injections in the deltoid site?
answers: 0.5-1 mL (some institutions allow up to 2 mL, but check policy due to
risk of nerve damage).
What is the maximum volume for IM injections in the vastus lateralis?
answers: 0.5-2 ml
What is the usual maximum volume for subcutaneous injections?
answers: Up to 1 mL (some institutions allow up to 2 mL, but this can cause
discomfort and tissue damage).
, What are the common syringe sizes used for medication administration?
answers: 1 mL, 3 mL, 5 mL, and 10 mL.
When might a 20 mL syringe be used?
answers: To draw up medication for an infusion pump
To insert a crushed and dissolved medication into a GI tube
What two characteristics of a needle must be considered when selecting one for
parenteral administration?
answers: Gauge - the diameter of the needle
Length - to ensure the medication reaches the correct anatomical site (e.g.,
subcutaneous or IM)
What determines the gauge of the needle?
answers: Viscosity of the medication (thicker meds need a smaller gauge/wider
lumen)
Purpose of the needle (e.g., drawing up vs. injecting)
Give an example of how a larger gauge needle might be used.
answers: A no. 18 gauge needle may be used to draw up thick medications like
vitamin B12, but not for injecting them into the client.
What should be done after drawing up thick medication with a large-gauge needle?
answers: Switch to an appropriate needle with the correct gauge and length for
administering the medication safely.
What does the gauge of a needle refer to?
answers: The diameter of the needle shaft; it correlates with the size of the needle
opening.
COMPLETE SOLUTION BASED ON FINAL EXAM!!
What are the common routes for parenteral medication administration?
answers: Intravenous (IV) - into the vein
Subcutaneous - into the subcutaneous tissue (lowest layer of skin)
Intradermal - into the space between the dermis and epidermis
Intramuscular (IM) - into the muscle
What factors determine the use of the parenteral route for medication?
answers: The client's condition (e.g., vomiting prevents oral intake)
The type of medication (e.g., some drugs are ineffective or unsafe orally)
The urgency of treatment (e.g., serious infections may need fast-acting parenteral
meds)
Why might slim older adult clients require special consideration for parenteral
medication?
answers: · They may not tolerate the maximum dose due to reduced tissue mass,
so dosage and site selection need to be adjusted.
What is the maximum volume for IM injections in the deltoid site?
answers: 0.5-1 mL (some institutions allow up to 2 mL, but check policy due to
risk of nerve damage).
What is the maximum volume for IM injections in the vastus lateralis?
answers: 0.5-2 ml
What is the usual maximum volume for subcutaneous injections?
answers: Up to 1 mL (some institutions allow up to 2 mL, but this can cause
discomfort and tissue damage).
, What are the common syringe sizes used for medication administration?
answers: 1 mL, 3 mL, 5 mL, and 10 mL.
When might a 20 mL syringe be used?
answers: To draw up medication for an infusion pump
To insert a crushed and dissolved medication into a GI tube
What two characteristics of a needle must be considered when selecting one for
parenteral administration?
answers: Gauge - the diameter of the needle
Length - to ensure the medication reaches the correct anatomical site (e.g.,
subcutaneous or IM)
What determines the gauge of the needle?
answers: Viscosity of the medication (thicker meds need a smaller gauge/wider
lumen)
Purpose of the needle (e.g., drawing up vs. injecting)
Give an example of how a larger gauge needle might be used.
answers: A no. 18 gauge needle may be used to draw up thick medications like
vitamin B12, but not for injecting them into the client.
What should be done after drawing up thick medication with a large-gauge needle?
answers: Switch to an appropriate needle with the correct gauge and length for
administering the medication safely.
What does the gauge of a needle refer to?
answers: The diameter of the needle shaft; it correlates with the size of the needle
opening.
