ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms / Pharmacology
Stem: A newly hired RN floats to the medical–surgical unit and
is assigned a patient prescribed digoxin. The RN recognizes the
order uses the abbreviation “qod” and the unit’s eMAR flags an
unfamiliar abbreviation. Which immediate nursing action best
protects the patient while clarifying the prescription?
,Options:
A. Administer the medication as written and document a
clarification request later.
B. Contact the prescriber to clarify the dosing schedule before
administering.
C. Ask the charge nurse whether “qod” means every other day
and proceed if they agree.
D. Cancel the medication and chart that the order was unclear.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Contacting the prescriber before
administration is the safest action because it prevents a
possible dosing error. It uses appropriate chain-of-
accountability for ambiguous orders and aligns with legal
and professional standards requiring clarification of
unclear medication orders.
• Incorrect (A): Administering first and asking later risks
patient harm from an incorrect schedule and violates safe
medication principles.
• Incorrect (C): Asking the charge nurse may be useful for
discussion but does not replace prescriber clarification for
an order ambiguity—delegated verification risks
propagation of error.
, • Incorrect (D): Canceling the medication without prescriber
communication could withhold needed therapy and is
inappropriate without discussion.
Teaching Point: Clarify ambiguous orders with the prescriber
before giving medications.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Names / Brand vs. Generic
Stem: A patient asks why the hospital prescribed a more
expensive brand-name antihypertensive instead of a generic
equivalent listed on their drug card. The patient is worried
about cost. Which explanation and action by the nurse best
supports medication adherence and informed decision-making?
Options:
A. Tell the patient brand names are always better and continue
without discussion.
B. Explain therapeutic equivalence, review the patient’s
formulary coverage, and offer to contact pharmacy for a generic
substitution.
C. Immediately change the medication to a generic without
prescriber approval.
D. Advise the patient to refuse the medication and obtain a
cheaper alternative outpatient.
, Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Educating about therapeutic equivalence and
liaising with pharmacy/prescriber for substitution
addresses adherence, cost concerns, and stays within legal
boundaries. This promotes shared decision-making and
safe transitions.
• Incorrect (A): Claiming brands are always better is
inaccurate and misleads the patient.
• Incorrect (C): Nurses must not substitute medications
without prescriber/pharmacy authorization; unilateral
change risks errors.
• Incorrect (D): Refusing inpatient therapy jeopardizes
health and ignores appropriate channels for cost
optimization.
Teaching Point: Explain equivalence and coordinate with
pharmacy/prescriber for cost-sensitive substitution.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Sources / Drug Uses
Stem: A patient with chronic liver disease is prescribed a new
drug primarily metabolized in the liver. Before administering,
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms / Pharmacology
Stem: A newly hired RN floats to the medical–surgical unit and
is assigned a patient prescribed digoxin. The RN recognizes the
order uses the abbreviation “qod” and the unit’s eMAR flags an
unfamiliar abbreviation. Which immediate nursing action best
protects the patient while clarifying the prescription?
,Options:
A. Administer the medication as written and document a
clarification request later.
B. Contact the prescriber to clarify the dosing schedule before
administering.
C. Ask the charge nurse whether “qod” means every other day
and proceed if they agree.
D. Cancel the medication and chart that the order was unclear.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Contacting the prescriber before
administration is the safest action because it prevents a
possible dosing error. It uses appropriate chain-of-
accountability for ambiguous orders and aligns with legal
and professional standards requiring clarification of
unclear medication orders.
• Incorrect (A): Administering first and asking later risks
patient harm from an incorrect schedule and violates safe
medication principles.
• Incorrect (C): Asking the charge nurse may be useful for
discussion but does not replace prescriber clarification for
an order ambiguity—delegated verification risks
propagation of error.
, • Incorrect (D): Canceling the medication without prescriber
communication could withhold needed therapy and is
inappropriate without discussion.
Teaching Point: Clarify ambiguous orders with the prescriber
before giving medications.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Names / Brand vs. Generic
Stem: A patient asks why the hospital prescribed a more
expensive brand-name antihypertensive instead of a generic
equivalent listed on their drug card. The patient is worried
about cost. Which explanation and action by the nurse best
supports medication adherence and informed decision-making?
Options:
A. Tell the patient brand names are always better and continue
without discussion.
B. Explain therapeutic equivalence, review the patient’s
formulary coverage, and offer to contact pharmacy for a generic
substitution.
C. Immediately change the medication to a generic without
prescriber approval.
D. Advise the patient to refuse the medication and obtain a
cheaper alternative outpatient.
, Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Educating about therapeutic equivalence and
liaising with pharmacy/prescriber for substitution
addresses adherence, cost concerns, and stays within legal
boundaries. This promotes shared decision-making and
safe transitions.
• Incorrect (A): Claiming brands are always better is
inaccurate and misleads the patient.
• Incorrect (C): Nurses must not substitute medications
without prescriber/pharmacy authorization; unilateral
change risks errors.
• Incorrect (D): Refusing inpatient therapy jeopardizes
health and ignores appropriate channels for cost
optimization.
Teaching Point: Explain equivalence and coordinate with
pharmacy/prescriber for cost-sensitive substitution.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Sources / Drug Uses
Stem: A patient with chronic liver disease is prescribed a new
drug primarily metabolized in the liver. Before administering,
