ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Orientation to Medications: Definition of
Terms & Pharmacology (LO 1-1)
Stem: A newly hired RN is preparing to administer a medication.
The RN recognizes that pharmacology includes knowledge of
drug actions, interactions, and adverse effects. Which nursing
action best demonstrates application of pharmacologic
principles to prevent an adverse drug event?
,A. Administer the ordered dose now because the physician
prescribed it.
B. Check the patient’s current medication list, allergy history,
and baseline assessment, then verify compatibility with the
new drug.
C. Ask the patient if the medication previously made them feel
unwell and proceed if they deny problems.
D. Rely on the medication label alone to determine
contraindications.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Verifying the medication list, allergies,
and baseline assessment and checking compatibility applies
pharmacologic knowledge to prevent interactions or
contraindications. This approach uses assessment to identify
risks and follows safe medication principles.
Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Unsafe because it ignores patient-specific contraindications
and assessment.
C. Patient report is useful but insufficient alone; objective
verification is required.
D. Labels can be incomplete—clinical assessment and cross-
checking references are necessary.
Teaching Point: Always assess the patient and reconcile meds
before administration.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
,2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Sources (LO 1-2)
Stem: A nurse reviews a new prescription for an older adult that
is a biologic agent derived from living cells. Which nursing
priority best reflects understanding of drug source implications?
A. Expect the drug to be interchangeable with any small-
molecule drug in its class.
B. Check storage and handling requirements, verify dosing, and
confirm patient education because biologics often have special
handling and immunogenicity concerns.
C. Assume the drug has fewer adverse effects because it is
derived from natural sources.
D. Substitute with a similarly named over-the-counter product
to save costs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Biologics frequently require specific
storage, have unique adverse effect profiles, and may provoke
immune responses; nurses must verify handling and educate
patients accordingly.
Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Biologics are not necessarily interchangeable with small
molecules; substitution requires prescriber/pharmacist
decision.
C. Natural origin does not guarantee safety; adverse effects and
immunogenicity are possible.
D. Substituting OTC products is unsafe and outside nursing
scope.
, Teaching Point: Biologics need special handling and patient
education.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Uses (LO 1-2)
Stem: A patient with chronic pain is prescribed an extended-
release opioid. The nurse is teaching the patient about intended
drug use. Which statement by the nurse best reflects
appropriate patient education about this drug class?
A. “Take extra tablets if pain is worse at night.”
B. “Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush or chew, and follow
the prescribed schedule to maintain steady pain control.”
C. “You can stop this drug abruptly once pain improves.”
D. “You may alternate this opioid with alcohol to enhance
relaxation.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Extended-release formulations require
whole-tablet ingestion to prevent dose dumping and must be
taken as scheduled; this reduces toxicity and maintains
analgesia. Education on administration and schedule is
appropriate.
Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Taking extra tablets increases overdose risk.
C. Abruptly stopping opioids can cause withdrawal; tapering
may be required.
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Orientation to Medications: Definition of
Terms & Pharmacology (LO 1-1)
Stem: A newly hired RN is preparing to administer a medication.
The RN recognizes that pharmacology includes knowledge of
drug actions, interactions, and adverse effects. Which nursing
action best demonstrates application of pharmacologic
principles to prevent an adverse drug event?
,A. Administer the ordered dose now because the physician
prescribed it.
B. Check the patient’s current medication list, allergy history,
and baseline assessment, then verify compatibility with the
new drug.
C. Ask the patient if the medication previously made them feel
unwell and proceed if they deny problems.
D. Rely on the medication label alone to determine
contraindications.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Verifying the medication list, allergies,
and baseline assessment and checking compatibility applies
pharmacologic knowledge to prevent interactions or
contraindications. This approach uses assessment to identify
risks and follows safe medication principles.
Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Unsafe because it ignores patient-specific contraindications
and assessment.
C. Patient report is useful but insufficient alone; objective
verification is required.
D. Labels can be incomplete—clinical assessment and cross-
checking references are necessary.
Teaching Point: Always assess the patient and reconcile meds
before administration.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
,2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Sources (LO 1-2)
Stem: A nurse reviews a new prescription for an older adult that
is a biologic agent derived from living cells. Which nursing
priority best reflects understanding of drug source implications?
A. Expect the drug to be interchangeable with any small-
molecule drug in its class.
B. Check storage and handling requirements, verify dosing, and
confirm patient education because biologics often have special
handling and immunogenicity concerns.
C. Assume the drug has fewer adverse effects because it is
derived from natural sources.
D. Substitute with a similarly named over-the-counter product
to save costs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Biologics frequently require specific
storage, have unique adverse effect profiles, and may provoke
immune responses; nurses must verify handling and educate
patients accordingly.
Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Biologics are not necessarily interchangeable with small
molecules; substitution requires prescriber/pharmacist
decision.
C. Natural origin does not guarantee safety; adverse effects and
immunogenicity are possible.
D. Substituting OTC products is unsafe and outside nursing
scope.
, Teaching Point: Biologics need special handling and patient
education.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Uses (LO 1-2)
Stem: A patient with chronic pain is prescribed an extended-
release opioid. The nurse is teaching the patient about intended
drug use. Which statement by the nurse best reflects
appropriate patient education about this drug class?
A. “Take extra tablets if pain is worse at night.”
B. “Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush or chew, and follow
the prescribed schedule to maintain steady pain control.”
C. “You can stop this drug abruptly once pain improves.”
D. “You may alternate this opioid with alcohol to enhance
relaxation.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B): Extended-release formulations require
whole-tablet ingestion to prevent dose dumping and must be
taken as scheduled; this reduces toxicity and maintains
analgesia. Education on administration and schedule is
appropriate.
Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Taking extra tablets increases overdose risk.
C. Abruptly stopping opioids can cause withdrawal; tapering
may be required.
