ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Chapter 1 Introduction / Definition of Terms
Stem
A 78-year-old patient scheduled for several new medications
asks you what “pharmacokinetics” means and why it matters
for older adults. You explain in two sentences and then a
colleague asks you to document a brief teaching point on the
eMAR. Which statement best communicates clinically relevant
information to the patient and meets documentation
standards?
,A. “Pharmacokinetics is how drugs make you feel; older adults
need smaller doses.”
B. “Pharmacokinetics describes how the body absorbs,
distributes, metabolizes, and eliminates drugs; age-related
changes can increase drug effects and toxicity.”
C. “Pharmacokinetics is the list of side effects—review the
pamphlet for details.”
D. “Pharmacokinetics equals pharmacodynamics; adjust doses
based on blood pressure.”
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Accurately defines pharmacokinetics and links it to
age-related physiologic changes that affect absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion—critical for dose
adjustments and monitoring older adults. This is precise,
clinically useful, and appropriate for eMAR documentation.
Incorrect (A): Vague and inaccurate—“how drugs make you
feel” is pharmacodynamics and the blanket “smaller doses” is
oversimplified and potentially unsafe.
Incorrect (C): Misdefines term and delegates learning to a
pamphlet without targeted, patient-centered explanation.
Incorrect (D): Incorrect equivalence of pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics and ties dose adjustments to a single
parameter (blood pressure), which is incomplete and
misleading.
,Teaching Point (≤20 words)
Pharmacokinetics: absorption, distribution, metabolism,
elimination—adjust monitoring and dosing for older adults.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Pharmacology / Drug Sources
Stem
A nurse preparing an admission medication history finds a
patient taking an herbal supplement obtained overseas. The
patient reports a new prescription for warfarin at discharge.
What is the best nursing action before administering the first
dose?
A. Administer warfarin and advise the patient to stop the
supplement later.
B. Hold warfarin and contact the prescriber to clarify potential
interactions with the supplement.
C. Substitute warfarin with a direct oral anticoagulant without
consulting prescriber.
D. Document the supplement in the eMAR and proceed with
warfarin as ordered.
Correct Answer
B
, Rationales
Correct (B): Holds a high-risk medication until potential
interaction is clarified—appropriate prioritization of patient
safety, prevents adverse events, and follows
communication/documentation standards.
Incorrect (A): Unsafe—administering without checking
interactions risks serious bleeding or thrombotic complications.
Incorrect (C): Changing therapy without prescriber order is
beyond nursing scope and unsafe.
Incorrect (D): Documentation alone is insufficient when a
potentially dangerous interaction exists; active clarification is
required.
Teaching Point (≤20 words)
Clarify potential interactions with prescriber before
administering high-risk meds and document communication.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Uses / Drug Standards
Stem
A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed an off-label antibiotic
dosage recommended in a specialty guideline. The provider
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Chapter 1 Introduction / Definition of Terms
Stem
A 78-year-old patient scheduled for several new medications
asks you what “pharmacokinetics” means and why it matters
for older adults. You explain in two sentences and then a
colleague asks you to document a brief teaching point on the
eMAR. Which statement best communicates clinically relevant
information to the patient and meets documentation
standards?
,A. “Pharmacokinetics is how drugs make you feel; older adults
need smaller doses.”
B. “Pharmacokinetics describes how the body absorbs,
distributes, metabolizes, and eliminates drugs; age-related
changes can increase drug effects and toxicity.”
C. “Pharmacokinetics is the list of side effects—review the
pamphlet for details.”
D. “Pharmacokinetics equals pharmacodynamics; adjust doses
based on blood pressure.”
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Accurately defines pharmacokinetics and links it to
age-related physiologic changes that affect absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion—critical for dose
adjustments and monitoring older adults. This is precise,
clinically useful, and appropriate for eMAR documentation.
Incorrect (A): Vague and inaccurate—“how drugs make you
feel” is pharmacodynamics and the blanket “smaller doses” is
oversimplified and potentially unsafe.
Incorrect (C): Misdefines term and delegates learning to a
pamphlet without targeted, patient-centered explanation.
Incorrect (D): Incorrect equivalence of pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics and ties dose adjustments to a single
parameter (blood pressure), which is incomplete and
misleading.
,Teaching Point (≤20 words)
Pharmacokinetics: absorption, distribution, metabolism,
elimination—adjust monitoring and dosing for older adults.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Pharmacology / Drug Sources
Stem
A nurse preparing an admission medication history finds a
patient taking an herbal supplement obtained overseas. The
patient reports a new prescription for warfarin at discharge.
What is the best nursing action before administering the first
dose?
A. Administer warfarin and advise the patient to stop the
supplement later.
B. Hold warfarin and contact the prescriber to clarify potential
interactions with the supplement.
C. Substitute warfarin with a direct oral anticoagulant without
consulting prescriber.
D. Document the supplement in the eMAR and proceed with
warfarin as ordered.
Correct Answer
B
, Rationales
Correct (B): Holds a high-risk medication until potential
interaction is clarified—appropriate prioritization of patient
safety, prevents adverse events, and follows
communication/documentation standards.
Incorrect (A): Unsafe—administering without checking
interactions risks serious bleeding or thrombotic complications.
Incorrect (C): Changing therapy without prescriber order is
beyond nursing scope and unsafe.
Incorrect (D): Documentation alone is insufficient when a
potentially dangerous interaction exists; active clarification is
required.
Teaching Point (≤20 words)
Clarify potential interactions with prescriber before
administering high-risk meds and document communication.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Uses / Drug Standards
Stem
A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed an off-label antibiotic
dosage recommended in a specialty guideline. The provider
