ATI Pharmacology Week 1: Medication Safety and 6
Rights 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. Which action is the priority for the nurse when identifying the ‘Right Patient’
before medication administration?
A. Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth.
B. Check the patient’s room number against the MAR.
C. Verify the patient’s identity using the photo on the chart.
D. Ask a family member to confirm the patient’s identity.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must use at least two patient identifiers, such as name and date of
birth, and compare them with the MAR. Room number is not an acceptable identifier.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a high-alert medication. Which action
should the nurse take to ensure the ‘Right Dose’?
A. Have another nurse perform an independent double-check.
B. Rely on the pharmacist’s calculation only.
C. Estimate the dose based on the patient’s weight.
D. Check the dose against the previous shift’s documentation.
Answer: A
Rationale: High-alert medications (e.g., insulin, heparin) require an independent double-
check by another licensed nurse to prevent dosage errors.
,3. The nurse discovers a medication error has occurred. What is the nurse’s first
priority?
A. Complete an incident report.
B. Notify the provider immediately.
C. Call the pharmacy to report the error.
D. Assess the patient for adverse effects.
Answer: D
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority; the nurse must first assess the patient’s condition
and take necessary actions before reporting the error.
4. At which times should the nurse check the medication label against the
Medication Administration Record (MAR)?
A. At the start of the shift and before giving the med.
B. When obtaining the med, when preparing it, and at the bedside.
C. When the med is ordered and when it is administered.
D. During shift change and at the bedside.
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘three checks’ of medication administration occur when pulling the
medication, when preparing/measuring it, and just before giving it to the patient.
5. A patient refuses a scheduled dose of medication. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the refusal and move to the next patient.
B. Explain the risks of not taking the medication.
C. Inform the provider that the patient is being difficult.
D. Crush the medication and hide it in food.
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients have the ‘Right to Refuse.’ The nurse should first determine the reason
for refusal and educate the patient on the consequences.
, 6. Which abbreviation is considered ‘error-prone’ and should be avoided in
medication orders?
A. mg
B. mL
C. U (Unit)
D. PO
Answer: C
Rationale: The abbreviation ‘U’ can be mistaken for ‘0’ or ‘4.’ ISMP and Joint Commission
recommend writing out ‘units’ instead.
7. A provider orders ‘Lasix 40 mg PO daily.’ Which part of the ‘6 Rights’ is
missing?
A. Right Patient
B. None, the order is complete.
C. Right Route
D. Right Time
Answer: D
Rationale: The order specifies the drug, dose, and route, but does not specify a specific
time or frequency (e.g., 0900 or daily at breakfast).
8. A nurse is performing medication reconciliation for a newly admitted patient.
This process is primarily intended to:
A. Prevent duplicate therapy and medication omissions.
B. Lower the cost of medications for the hospital.
C. Ensure the patient has enough medication for their stay.
D. Check if the patient is allergic to any medications.
Answer: A
Rationale: Medication reconciliation involves comparing the patient’s current list of
medications to newly ordered medications to avoid errors like omission or duplication.
Rights 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. Which action is the priority for the nurse when identifying the ‘Right Patient’
before medication administration?
A. Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth.
B. Check the patient’s room number against the MAR.
C. Verify the patient’s identity using the photo on the chart.
D. Ask a family member to confirm the patient’s identity.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must use at least two patient identifiers, such as name and date of
birth, and compare them with the MAR. Room number is not an acceptable identifier.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a high-alert medication. Which action
should the nurse take to ensure the ‘Right Dose’?
A. Have another nurse perform an independent double-check.
B. Rely on the pharmacist’s calculation only.
C. Estimate the dose based on the patient’s weight.
D. Check the dose against the previous shift’s documentation.
Answer: A
Rationale: High-alert medications (e.g., insulin, heparin) require an independent double-
check by another licensed nurse to prevent dosage errors.
,3. The nurse discovers a medication error has occurred. What is the nurse’s first
priority?
A. Complete an incident report.
B. Notify the provider immediately.
C. Call the pharmacy to report the error.
D. Assess the patient for adverse effects.
Answer: D
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority; the nurse must first assess the patient’s condition
and take necessary actions before reporting the error.
4. At which times should the nurse check the medication label against the
Medication Administration Record (MAR)?
A. At the start of the shift and before giving the med.
B. When obtaining the med, when preparing it, and at the bedside.
C. When the med is ordered and when it is administered.
D. During shift change and at the bedside.
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘three checks’ of medication administration occur when pulling the
medication, when preparing/measuring it, and just before giving it to the patient.
5. A patient refuses a scheduled dose of medication. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the refusal and move to the next patient.
B. Explain the risks of not taking the medication.
C. Inform the provider that the patient is being difficult.
D. Crush the medication and hide it in food.
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients have the ‘Right to Refuse.’ The nurse should first determine the reason
for refusal and educate the patient on the consequences.
, 6. Which abbreviation is considered ‘error-prone’ and should be avoided in
medication orders?
A. mg
B. mL
C. U (Unit)
D. PO
Answer: C
Rationale: The abbreviation ‘U’ can be mistaken for ‘0’ or ‘4.’ ISMP and Joint Commission
recommend writing out ‘units’ instead.
7. A provider orders ‘Lasix 40 mg PO daily.’ Which part of the ‘6 Rights’ is
missing?
A. Right Patient
B. None, the order is complete.
C. Right Route
D. Right Time
Answer: D
Rationale: The order specifies the drug, dose, and route, but does not specify a specific
time or frequency (e.g., 0900 or daily at breakfast).
8. A nurse is performing medication reconciliation for a newly admitted patient.
This process is primarily intended to:
A. Prevent duplicate therapy and medication omissions.
B. Lower the cost of medications for the hospital.
C. Ensure the patient has enough medication for their stay.
D. Check if the patient is allergic to any medications.
Answer: A
Rationale: Medication reconciliation involves comparing the patient’s current list of
medications to newly ordered medications to avoid errors like omission or duplication.
