Basic Pharmacology for Nurses
Medication Administration & Medication Safety
Practice Questions with Rationales
ADN • BSN • ABSN • Entry-Level MSN
Practice Questions
Question 1
Where should a nurse verify the most current medication orders before administration?
A. Provider progress notes
B. Nursing care plan
C. Medication administration record (MAR)
D. Shift report
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The MAR contains verified, active medication orders and is the primary reference
for safe medication administration.
Question 2
Which action best reflects adherence to safe medication administration principles?
A. Administering medications based on patient request
B. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times
,C. Relying on memory for commonly given drugs
D. Documenting medications at the end of the shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Multiple label checks reduce medication errors and support patient safety.
Question 3
A discrepancy is noted between the provider’s order and the MAR. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Administer the medication as ordered previously
B. Clarify the order with the prescribing provider
C. Notify pharmacy after administration
D. Document the discrepancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any inconsistency must be resolved before medication administration.
Question 4
Which patient is at greatest risk for medication errors?
A. A patient taking one oral medication
B. A patient receiving multiple IV infusions
C. A patient who self-administers insulin
, D. A patient on a routine discharge prescription
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complex IV regimens increase the likelihood of dosing and compatibility errors.
Question 5
Which factor is a common contributor to medication errors?
A. Electronic health records
B. Look-alike or sound-alike medications
C. Patient education
D. Barcode scanning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Similar drug names and packaging are a major cause of medication errors.
Question 6
Which two identifiers should the nurse use to verify patient identity?
A. Room number and diagnosis
B. Date of birth and medical record number
C. Bed number and provider name
D. Allergies and medication list
Medication Administration & Medication Safety
Practice Questions with Rationales
ADN • BSN • ABSN • Entry-Level MSN
Practice Questions
Question 1
Where should a nurse verify the most current medication orders before administration?
A. Provider progress notes
B. Nursing care plan
C. Medication administration record (MAR)
D. Shift report
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The MAR contains verified, active medication orders and is the primary reference
for safe medication administration.
Question 2
Which action best reflects adherence to safe medication administration principles?
A. Administering medications based on patient request
B. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times
,C. Relying on memory for commonly given drugs
D. Documenting medications at the end of the shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Multiple label checks reduce medication errors and support patient safety.
Question 3
A discrepancy is noted between the provider’s order and the MAR. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Administer the medication as ordered previously
B. Clarify the order with the prescribing provider
C. Notify pharmacy after administration
D. Document the discrepancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any inconsistency must be resolved before medication administration.
Question 4
Which patient is at greatest risk for medication errors?
A. A patient taking one oral medication
B. A patient receiving multiple IV infusions
C. A patient who self-administers insulin
, D. A patient on a routine discharge prescription
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complex IV regimens increase the likelihood of dosing and compatibility errors.
Question 5
Which factor is a common contributor to medication errors?
A. Electronic health records
B. Look-alike or sound-alike medications
C. Patient education
D. Barcode scanning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Similar drug names and packaging are a major cause of medication errors.
Question 6
Which two identifiers should the nurse use to verify patient identity?
A. Room number and diagnosis
B. Date of birth and medical record number
C. Bed number and provider name
D. Allergies and medication list
