ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms / Pharmacology
Stem
A 68-year-old patient with chronic heart failure is admitted. The
physician orders a new medication and writes “prn” on the
order without specifying indications. You note the medication is
a high-risk cardiac agent. What is your best nursing action
before administering a PRN dose?
,A. Administer the PRN when the patient requests relief.
B. Clarify the specific indication, dose limits, and monitoring
parameters with the prescriber.
C. Ask the patient whether they have received this medication
previously and proceed if they say yes.
D. Check the eMAR to see if others have administered PRNs for
this medication and copy their practice.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Clarifying the indication and parameters ensures safe, evidence-
based PRN administration and prevents inappropriate dosing of
a high-risk cardiac drug. It protects the patient by establishing
clear criteria for administration and monitoring needs. This
action aligns with pharmacology principles and legal
responsibility to follow a complete order.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Unsafe — administering solely on request without defined
indication or limits risks adverse events and violates
medication-order standards.
C. Incomplete — prior use by the patient does not substitute for
a current, specific order or monitoring instructions.
D. Unsafe/uncertain — copying others’ practice from eMAR
may perpetuate error and does not substitute for prescriber
clarification.
,Teaching Point
Always clarify PRN indications, dose limits, and monitoring
before giving high-risk medications.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Sources / Drug Uses
Stem
A nurse preparing to teach a patient about a new biologic
therapy notices the medication is derived from recombinant
DNA. The patient asks how this differs from older medications.
Which explanation best communicates therapeutic difference
and safety considerations to the patient?
A. "Biologics are made from living organisms and may require
special storage and monitoring for immune reactions."
B. "They are always safer than chemical drugs because they are
natural."
C. "Biologics do not interact with other medications, so you
don't need to report other drugs."
D. "They are cheaper because they are newer and have fewer
regulations."
Correct Answer
A
, Rationale — Correct (A)
This statement accurately explains the source (living
organisms/recombinant), highlights practical considerations
(storage, immune-mediated reactions), and sets appropriate
safety expectations. It uses clear, actionable language for
patient teaching and reflects drug-source and use principles.
Rationale — Incorrect
B. Incorrect generalization — "natural" does not equal safety;
biologics can have serious adverse effects.
C. False — biologics can have interactions or additive effects;
patients must report other medications.
D. Incorrect — newer biologics are often more expensive and
subject to strict regulation.
Teaching Point
Explain drug source and monitoring implications clearly;
“natural” ≠ safe.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Standards / Drug Names
Stem
You receive a verbal order for “metoprolol tartrate 25 mg PO”
during a busy shift; the prescriber states “give now.” The patient
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms / Pharmacology
Stem
A 68-year-old patient with chronic heart failure is admitted. The
physician orders a new medication and writes “prn” on the
order without specifying indications. You note the medication is
a high-risk cardiac agent. What is your best nursing action
before administering a PRN dose?
,A. Administer the PRN when the patient requests relief.
B. Clarify the specific indication, dose limits, and monitoring
parameters with the prescriber.
C. Ask the patient whether they have received this medication
previously and proceed if they say yes.
D. Check the eMAR to see if others have administered PRNs for
this medication and copy their practice.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Clarifying the indication and parameters ensures safe, evidence-
based PRN administration and prevents inappropriate dosing of
a high-risk cardiac drug. It protects the patient by establishing
clear criteria for administration and monitoring needs. This
action aligns with pharmacology principles and legal
responsibility to follow a complete order.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Unsafe — administering solely on request without defined
indication or limits risks adverse events and violates
medication-order standards.
C. Incomplete — prior use by the patient does not substitute for
a current, specific order or monitoring instructions.
D. Unsafe/uncertain — copying others’ practice from eMAR
may perpetuate error and does not substitute for prescriber
clarification.
,Teaching Point
Always clarify PRN indications, dose limits, and monitoring
before giving high-risk medications.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Sources / Drug Uses
Stem
A nurse preparing to teach a patient about a new biologic
therapy notices the medication is derived from recombinant
DNA. The patient asks how this differs from older medications.
Which explanation best communicates therapeutic difference
and safety considerations to the patient?
A. "Biologics are made from living organisms and may require
special storage and monitoring for immune reactions."
B. "They are always safer than chemical drugs because they are
natural."
C. "Biologics do not interact with other medications, so you
don't need to report other drugs."
D. "They are cheaper because they are newer and have fewer
regulations."
Correct Answer
A
, Rationale — Correct (A)
This statement accurately explains the source (living
organisms/recombinant), highlights practical considerations
(storage, immune-mediated reactions), and sets appropriate
safety expectations. It uses clear, actionable language for
patient teaching and reflects drug-source and use principles.
Rationale — Incorrect
B. Incorrect generalization — "natural" does not equal safety;
biologics can have serious adverse effects.
C. False — biologics can have interactions or additive effects;
patients must report other medications.
D. Incorrect — newer biologics are often more expensive and
subject to strict regulation.
Teaching Point
Explain drug source and monitoring implications clearly;
“natural” ≠ safe.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Standards / Drug Names
Stem
You receive a verbal order for “metoprolol tartrate 25 mg PO”
during a busy shift; the prescriber states “give now.” The patient
