ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms; Pharmacology
Stem: A newly hired RN is assigned a patient with multiple
chronic conditions who is prescribed a medication the RN has
never administered before. The eMAR lists the drug, but the RN
is unfamiliar with the drug class, mechanism, and major adverse
effects. What is the most appropriate first action by the nurse
before preparing the medication for administration?
A. Administer the medication as ordered, then research details
after documenting administration.
B. Check a current, reputable drug reference and consult the
pharmacist to confirm indications and safety.
,C. Ask the patient if they have taken the medication before and
proceed if they report previous use.
D. Substitute a similar medication from the unit stock that the
nurse knows well.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): Checking a current drug reference and consulting
pharmacy ensures the nurse has necessary knowledge about
indications, dosing, and major adverse effects before
administration — a core safety and professional responsibility.
This prevents knowledge gaps from causing harm and aligns
with evidence-based practice.
A: Unsafe — administering before understanding the drug risks
patient harm and violates professional standards.
C: Incomplete — patient report is helpful but not a substitute
for professional verification; patient memory may be
inaccurate.
D: Unsafe/illegal — substituting medications without an order
risks adverse events, dosing errors, and legal violations.
Teaching Point: Always verify unfamiliar drugs with current
references and pharmacy prior to administration.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
,Reference: Ch. 1 — Brand-Name Drugs versus Generic-Name
Drugs
Stem: A long-term clinic patient stabilized on a brand-name
thyroid medication reports fatigue after the pharmacy
substituted a generic formulation. The PRN clinic RN notes
slightly different TSH lab trends. What is the most appropriate
nursing response?
A. Tell the patient generics are always equivalent; reassure and
document no change.
B. Hold the medication until the provider changes back to the
brand-name product.
C. Notify the prescriber and pharmacist about the symptom
change and request verification of formulation and monitoring.
D. Advise the patient to take twice the generically dispensed
dose to match the brand effect.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
Correct (C): Notifying the prescriber and pharmacist initiates
evaluation of bioequivalence concerns, therapeutic monitoring,
and possible need to revert formulations — appropriate clinical
escalation for narrow therapeutic or sensitive medications.
A: Incorrect — generics are usually equivalent, but some drugs
(narrow therapeutic index, endocrine agents) may require
monitoring after substitution. Reassurance alone neglects
safety.
B: Premature — holding medication without prescriber order
, may destabilize the patient.
D: Dangerous — altering dose without prescriber/ pharmacist
guidance risks toxicity.
Teaching Point: Report suspected formulation-related changes;
collaborate with prescriber and pharmacy.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug References; Utilizing eMAR Technology
Stem: While administering medications, the RN receives an
eMAR pop-up alert indicating a potential drug–drug interaction
between two scheduled meds. The alert lacks clinical detail and
offers an override option. The patient is stable and symptomatic
control depends on both meds. What should the RN do next?
A. Immediately override the alert and administer both
medications to avoid symptom recurrence.
B. Cancel both medications for the day to eliminate interaction
risk.
C. Pause and consult the prescribing clinician and pharmacist
about interaction severity and safer alternatives.
D. Ignore the alert because eMAR systems produce many false
positives.
Correct Answer: C
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Definition of Terms; Pharmacology
Stem: A newly hired RN is assigned a patient with multiple
chronic conditions who is prescribed a medication the RN has
never administered before. The eMAR lists the drug, but the RN
is unfamiliar with the drug class, mechanism, and major adverse
effects. What is the most appropriate first action by the nurse
before preparing the medication for administration?
A. Administer the medication as ordered, then research details
after documenting administration.
B. Check a current, reputable drug reference and consult the
pharmacist to confirm indications and safety.
,C. Ask the patient if they have taken the medication before and
proceed if they report previous use.
D. Substitute a similar medication from the unit stock that the
nurse knows well.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): Checking a current drug reference and consulting
pharmacy ensures the nurse has necessary knowledge about
indications, dosing, and major adverse effects before
administration — a core safety and professional responsibility.
This prevents knowledge gaps from causing harm and aligns
with evidence-based practice.
A: Unsafe — administering before understanding the drug risks
patient harm and violates professional standards.
C: Incomplete — patient report is helpful but not a substitute
for professional verification; patient memory may be
inaccurate.
D: Unsafe/illegal — substituting medications without an order
risks adverse events, dosing errors, and legal violations.
Teaching Point: Always verify unfamiliar drugs with current
references and pharmacy prior to administration.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
,Reference: Ch. 1 — Brand-Name Drugs versus Generic-Name
Drugs
Stem: A long-term clinic patient stabilized on a brand-name
thyroid medication reports fatigue after the pharmacy
substituted a generic formulation. The PRN clinic RN notes
slightly different TSH lab trends. What is the most appropriate
nursing response?
A. Tell the patient generics are always equivalent; reassure and
document no change.
B. Hold the medication until the provider changes back to the
brand-name product.
C. Notify the prescriber and pharmacist about the symptom
change and request verification of formulation and monitoring.
D. Advise the patient to take twice the generically dispensed
dose to match the brand effect.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
Correct (C): Notifying the prescriber and pharmacist initiates
evaluation of bioequivalence concerns, therapeutic monitoring,
and possible need to revert formulations — appropriate clinical
escalation for narrow therapeutic or sensitive medications.
A: Incorrect — generics are usually equivalent, but some drugs
(narrow therapeutic index, endocrine agents) may require
monitoring after substitution. Reassurance alone neglects
safety.
B: Premature — holding medication without prescriber order
, may destabilize the patient.
D: Dangerous — altering dose without prescriber/ pharmacist
guidance risks toxicity.
Teaching Point: Report suspected formulation-related changes;
collaborate with prescriber and pharmacy.
Citation: Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Drug References; Utilizing eMAR Technology
Stem: While administering medications, the RN receives an
eMAR pop-up alert indicating a potential drug–drug interaction
between two scheduled meds. The alert lacks clinical detail and
offers an override option. The patient is stable and symptomatic
control depends on both meds. What should the RN do next?
A. Immediately override the alert and administer both
medications to avoid symptom recurrence.
B. Cancel both medications for the day to eliminate interaction
risk.
C. Pause and consult the prescribing clinician and pharmacist
about interaction severity and safer alternatives.
D. Ignore the alert because eMAR systems produce many false
positives.
Correct Answer: C
