ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms / Pharmacology
Stem: A newly hired RN sees a medication order for
“metoprolol succinate 50 mg PO daily.” The RN notes a patient's
chart lists “metoprolol tartrate” previously. The RN must decide
how to proceed before administering the ordered dose. Which
action is most appropriate?
A. Administer metoprolol succinate as ordered; assume the
prescriber intended the extended-release formulation.
B. Contact the prescriber to verify the intended formulation
(succinate vs tartrate) before administration.
C. Give half the dose to reduce risk until formulation is clarified.
,D. Substitute metoprolol tartrate (same dose) because
metoprolol is the generic name and formulations are
interchangeable.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): Metoprolol succinate and tartrate have different
release profiles and dosing intervals; verifying with the
prescriber prevents dosing errors and protects patient safety.
This reflects pharmacologic principles and legal responsibility to
clarify ambiguous orders.
Incorrect (A): Assuming intent risks administering an
inappropriate formulation with altered pharmacokinetics.
Incorrect (C): Arbitrary dose reduction is unsafe and not a valid
substitute for clarification.
Incorrect (D): Formulations are not automatically
interchangeable; substituting without authorization risks harm.
Teaching Point: Clarify ambiguous orders that affect
pharmacokinetics before giving medications.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Names / Brand-Name vs Generic-
Name Drugs
Stem: A patient asks why the pharmacy substituted
“acetaminophen” for the brand-name “Tylenol” listed on their
,discharge instructions. The nurse must explain the difference
and ensure understanding. Which response best combines
accuracy and patient safety?
A. “Generic acetaminophen is identical to Tylenol so there’s
nothing to worry about.”
B. “Generic acetaminophen contains different active ingredients
than Tylenol; call your pharmacist.”
C. “Generic acetaminophen contains the same active
ingredient; dosing and effects are equivalent, and the pharmacy
may substitute for cost.”
D. “You should refuse generic drugs; only brand-name products
are FDA-approved.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
Correct (C): Generic medications contain the same active
ingredient and are required to meet regulatory standards for
bioequivalence; informing the patient reduces confusion and
supports adherence.
Incorrect (A): Saying “identical” omits that inactive ingredients
and appearance may differ; more complete explanation is
needed for informed consent.
Incorrect (B): Incorrectly states different active ingredients,
which is false and may alarm the patient.
Incorrect (D): False and legally incorrect; both brand and
generic products are FDA-regulated.
, Teaching Point: Explain generic–brand equivalence and
encourage questions to promote adherence.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Sources / Drug Uses
Stem: During medication reconciliation, a patient reports taking
an herbal supplement for joint pain alongside a new NSAID
prescribed inpatient. The nurse must evaluate for interaction
risk. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Document the supplement but continue NSAID
administration without further action.
B. Ask the patient the supplement name and research possible
interactions using approved drug references before giving the
NSAID.
C. Instruct the patient to stop the supplement immediately
without notifying the provider.
D. Substitute acetaminophen for the NSAID because
supplements do not interact with acetaminophen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): Gathering the supplement name and consulting
reliable references (drug interaction databases) aligns with safe
practice and prevents adverse interactions; if risk exists, notify
prescriber.
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms / Pharmacology
Stem: A newly hired RN sees a medication order for
“metoprolol succinate 50 mg PO daily.” The RN notes a patient's
chart lists “metoprolol tartrate” previously. The RN must decide
how to proceed before administering the ordered dose. Which
action is most appropriate?
A. Administer metoprolol succinate as ordered; assume the
prescriber intended the extended-release formulation.
B. Contact the prescriber to verify the intended formulation
(succinate vs tartrate) before administration.
C. Give half the dose to reduce risk until formulation is clarified.
,D. Substitute metoprolol tartrate (same dose) because
metoprolol is the generic name and formulations are
interchangeable.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): Metoprolol succinate and tartrate have different
release profiles and dosing intervals; verifying with the
prescriber prevents dosing errors and protects patient safety.
This reflects pharmacologic principles and legal responsibility to
clarify ambiguous orders.
Incorrect (A): Assuming intent risks administering an
inappropriate formulation with altered pharmacokinetics.
Incorrect (C): Arbitrary dose reduction is unsafe and not a valid
substitute for clarification.
Incorrect (D): Formulations are not automatically
interchangeable; substituting without authorization risks harm.
Teaching Point: Clarify ambiguous orders that affect
pharmacokinetics before giving medications.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Names / Brand-Name vs Generic-
Name Drugs
Stem: A patient asks why the pharmacy substituted
“acetaminophen” for the brand-name “Tylenol” listed on their
,discharge instructions. The nurse must explain the difference
and ensure understanding. Which response best combines
accuracy and patient safety?
A. “Generic acetaminophen is identical to Tylenol so there’s
nothing to worry about.”
B. “Generic acetaminophen contains different active ingredients
than Tylenol; call your pharmacist.”
C. “Generic acetaminophen contains the same active
ingredient; dosing and effects are equivalent, and the pharmacy
may substitute for cost.”
D. “You should refuse generic drugs; only brand-name products
are FDA-approved.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
Correct (C): Generic medications contain the same active
ingredient and are required to meet regulatory standards for
bioequivalence; informing the patient reduces confusion and
supports adherence.
Incorrect (A): Saying “identical” omits that inactive ingredients
and appearance may differ; more complete explanation is
needed for informed consent.
Incorrect (B): Incorrectly states different active ingredients,
which is false and may alarm the patient.
Incorrect (D): False and legally incorrect; both brand and
generic products are FDA-regulated.
, Teaching Point: Explain generic–brand equivalence and
encourage questions to promote adherence.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Sources / Drug Uses
Stem: During medication reconciliation, a patient reports taking
an herbal supplement for joint pain alongside a new NSAID
prescribed inpatient. The nurse must evaluate for interaction
risk. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Document the supplement but continue NSAID
administration without further action.
B. Ask the patient the supplement name and research possible
interactions using approved drug references before giving the
NSAID.
C. Instruct the patient to stop the supplement immediately
without notifying the provider.
D. Substitute acetaminophen for the NSAID because
supplements do not interact with acetaminophen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): Gathering the supplement name and consulting
reliable references (drug interaction databases) aligns with safe
practice and prevents adverse interactions; if risk exists, notify
prescriber.
