ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Names: Brand vs. Generic
Stem: A newly hired RN receives a verbal order for
“acetaminophen 650 mg PO PRN for fever.” The unit’s stock lists
both “Tylenol 325 mg tablets” and “acetaminophen 500 mg/5
mL liquid.” The patient is alert, tolerates oral medications, and
prefers tablets. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer two Tylenol 325 mg tablets (650 mg total).
B. Refuse the order because only generic-name drugs may be
given.
,C. Clarify the order with the prescriber about formulation and
dose.
D. Give 10 mL of the 500 mg/5 mL liquid (1000 mg) and
document.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
Correct (A): Two Tylenol 325 mg tablets equal 650 mg and
match the ordered dose; Tylenol is a brand name for
acetaminophen, and administering the available tablets is
appropriate after verifying patient can swallow. This protects
the patient by delivering the prescribed analgesic/antipyretic
accurately.
Incorrect (B): Refusing because the order used a generic name
is incorrect; both generic and brand names are acceptable—
action should focus on dose and formulation.
Incorrect (C): Clarification is unnecessary because the dose and
formulation can be safely achieved with two 325 mg tablets;
unnecessary clarification delays care.
Incorrect (D): Giving 10 mL of the liquid provides 1000 mg, an
overdose relative to the ordered 650 mg, risking toxicity.
Teaching Point: Verify dose equivalence when brand and
generic formulations are present.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
,Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug References & eMAR Technology
Stem: The nurse preparing medications notes the eMAR
displays a newly added allergy “sulfa — hives” for a patient who
has a new sulfonamide antibiotic order. The medication
administration record shows the signature of a different
clinician who added the allergy earlier. What is the nurse’s best
immediate action?
A. Hold the antibiotic and verify the allergy entry with the
prescribing clinician and patient before administration.
B. Administer the antibiotic since the eMAR shows a signed
entry by another clinician.
C. Remove the allergy from eMAR to allow antibiotic
administration.
D. Ask the patient whether they have had sulfa drugs before
and proceed based on their answer.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
Correct (A): Holding the antibiotic and verifying the allergy via
both chart review and direct communication with
prescriber/patient is safest; eMAR entries must be validated to
prevent allergic reactions. This aligns with medication safety
and legal accountability.
Incorrect (B): Administering despite an allergy entry risks
causing an allergic reaction and violates safe practice.
Incorrect (C): Removing an allergy entry is outside nursing
scope and dangerous; only authorized clinicians may amend
, allergy lists following verification.
Incorrect (D): Asking the patient is necessary but insufficient
alone—verification with the prescriber and chart
documentation is required before administering.
Teaching Point: Always verify new allergy entries in eMAR
before administering related medications.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Legislation & You and the Law
Stem: A nurse is asked to administer an opioid PCA (patient-
controlled analgesia) dose and notices the order is signed but
lacks the prescriber’s DEA number required by facility policy for
controlled substances. The patient is in severe pain requesting
the PCA. The prescriber is in surgery and not immediately
reachable. What should the nurse do?
A. Delay PCA initiation until the prescriber provides the DEA
number.
B. Start the PCA based on the signed order and document the
missing DEA number will be obtained later.
C. Substitute a non-opioid analgesic without notifying the
prescriber.
D. Contact the unit manager to sign for the DEA number and
start the PCA.
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Names: Brand vs. Generic
Stem: A newly hired RN receives a verbal order for
“acetaminophen 650 mg PO PRN for fever.” The unit’s stock lists
both “Tylenol 325 mg tablets” and “acetaminophen 500 mg/5
mL liquid.” The patient is alert, tolerates oral medications, and
prefers tablets. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer two Tylenol 325 mg tablets (650 mg total).
B. Refuse the order because only generic-name drugs may be
given.
,C. Clarify the order with the prescriber about formulation and
dose.
D. Give 10 mL of the 500 mg/5 mL liquid (1000 mg) and
document.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
Correct (A): Two Tylenol 325 mg tablets equal 650 mg and
match the ordered dose; Tylenol is a brand name for
acetaminophen, and administering the available tablets is
appropriate after verifying patient can swallow. This protects
the patient by delivering the prescribed analgesic/antipyretic
accurately.
Incorrect (B): Refusing because the order used a generic name
is incorrect; both generic and brand names are acceptable—
action should focus on dose and formulation.
Incorrect (C): Clarification is unnecessary because the dose and
formulation can be safely achieved with two 325 mg tablets;
unnecessary clarification delays care.
Incorrect (D): Giving 10 mL of the liquid provides 1000 mg, an
overdose relative to the ordered 650 mg, risking toxicity.
Teaching Point: Verify dose equivalence when brand and
generic formulations are present.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
,Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug References & eMAR Technology
Stem: The nurse preparing medications notes the eMAR
displays a newly added allergy “sulfa — hives” for a patient who
has a new sulfonamide antibiotic order. The medication
administration record shows the signature of a different
clinician who added the allergy earlier. What is the nurse’s best
immediate action?
A. Hold the antibiotic and verify the allergy entry with the
prescribing clinician and patient before administration.
B. Administer the antibiotic since the eMAR shows a signed
entry by another clinician.
C. Remove the allergy from eMAR to allow antibiotic
administration.
D. Ask the patient whether they have had sulfa drugs before
and proceed based on their answer.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
Correct (A): Holding the antibiotic and verifying the allergy via
both chart review and direct communication with
prescriber/patient is safest; eMAR entries must be validated to
prevent allergic reactions. This aligns with medication safety
and legal accountability.
Incorrect (B): Administering despite an allergy entry risks
causing an allergic reaction and violates safe practice.
Incorrect (C): Removing an allergy entry is outside nursing
scope and dangerous; only authorized clinicians may amend
, allergy lists following verification.
Incorrect (D): Asking the patient is necessary but insufficient
alone—verification with the prescriber and chart
documentation is required before administering.
Teaching Point: Always verify new allergy entries in eMAR
before administering related medications.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug Legislation & You and the Law
Stem: A nurse is asked to administer an opioid PCA (patient-
controlled analgesia) dose and notices the order is signed but
lacks the prescriber’s DEA number required by facility policy for
controlled substances. The patient is in severe pain requesting
the PCA. The prescriber is in surgery and not immediately
reachable. What should the nurse do?
A. Delay PCA initiation until the prescriber provides the DEA
number.
B. Start the PCA based on the signed order and document the
missing DEA number will be obtained later.
C. Substitute a non-opioid analgesic without notifying the
prescriber.
D. Contact the unit manager to sign for the DEA number and
start the PCA.
