1. The nurse is checking newly prescribed medications. Which medications require the nurse
to contact the HCP to clarify what has been prescribed? Select all that apply.
A. Aspirin 325 mg orally qd
B. MS 4 mg IV q 1 hr pm
C. Furosemide 40 mg IV now
D. DSW with 20 mEq KCL IV at 125 1nL/hr
E. Heparin 5000 u subcutaneously bid
ANSWER: A, B, E
A. The nurse should clarify aspirin with the HCP because the abbreviation “qd” is
disallowed by the Joint Commission. The “qd” can be mistaken for every other day rather
than daily.
B. The nurse should clarify “MS” with the HCP. The use of MS is disallowed by the Joint
Commission because it can be mistaken for magnesium sulfate rather than morphine
sulfate.
C. Furosemide (Lasix) has the essential components of a medication order—medication
name, close, frequency, and route—and uses acceptable abbreviations.
D. D5W with 20 mEq KCL has the essential components of a medication order—medication
name, dose, frequency, and route—and uses acceptable abbreviations.
E. The nurse should clarify heparin with the HCP because the abbreviation “u” is disallowed
by the Joint Commission. The “11” can be mistaken for “0” (zero), the number “4” (four),
or “cc”.
2. The client is prescribed ferrous sulfate 300 mg PO bid. Which action should be taken by the
nurse?
A. Administer ferrous sulfate as prescribed to the client.
B. Contact the HCP to clarify the route of the medication.
C. Contact the HCP to question twice-daily administration.
D. Withhold the medication; the dose is beyond the usual range.
ANSWER: A
A. The nurse should administer ferrous sulfate (Feosol) as prescribed. All essential
information is included using approved abbreviations.
, B. The abbreviation “PO” is an acceptable abbreviation for the oral route and does not need
to be clarified with the HCP.
C. The abbreviation “bid” is acceptable for twice- daily administration, and at this dose.
D. The dose of ferrous sulfate is within the acceptable range and should not be withheld-
3. The nurse is reviewing the client’s prescribed medications. Which medications should the
nurse plan to clarify with the HCP? Select all that apply.
A. Digoxin 25 mg IV
B. D5NS with 20 mEq KCL now
C. Aspirin 325 mg tablet oral every am.
D. Lisinopril 5 mg oral bid
E. Hydromorphone 1 mg qlh as needed
ANSWER: A. B. E
A. Digoxin (Lanoxin) is missing the frequency and should be clarified with the HCP; the
dosage also is too large and will result in a medication error.
B. The IV solution is missing the rate and should be clarified with the HCP.
C. The prescribed aspirin contains the name of the medication, the dose, the route, and the
frequency and is correct.
D. The pre5cribed lisinOpril (Zestril) Contains the name of the medication, the dose, the
route, and the frequency and is correct. The abbreviation bid means twice daily and is an
accepted abbreviation.
E. The prescribed hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is missing the route. The abbreviation q1h is
an acceptable medication-related abbreviation indicating that hydromorphone may be
admin- istered every hour if needed.
4. The client provides a handwritten medication list that includes bupropion XL 150 mg daily.
The client also shows the nurse the medication bottle labeled bupropion XL 300 mg tablets.
Which questions should the nurse ask the client? Select all that apply.
A. “Has your dosage of bupropion increased or decreased recently?”
B. “Did you cut the tablets in half to give yourself the correct dose?"
C. “Are you taking bupropion to stop smoking or to treat depression?”
D. “When was the last time you took medication from this bottle?”
, E. “Have you had headaches, tremors, or dry mouth while taking bupropion?”
ANSWER: A. C. D. E
A. The handwritten medication list is half the strength of the tablets in the bottle.
Either the dose was increased and this is the correct bottle, or the dose was
decreased and the handwritten medication list is correct and this is the wrong
bottle.
B. Bupropion is sustained release; tablets should not be halved for safe
administration. This is the wrong question to ask.
C. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is commonly used for smoking cessation or treating
depression. It can also be used for treating ADHD in adults, or to increase sexual
desire in women.
D. The last time a dose was taken from the bottle will help determine the amount
the client is taking and to verify if it is the correct amount.
E. Major side effects of bupropion include headaches, tremors, and dry mouth. If
the client is taking a higher dose than prescribed, the client could be experiencing
side effects.
5. Before a child’s hospital discharge, the nurse is teaching the parents how to administer an
oral medication to the child. Which nurse instruction would be most appropriate?
A. Administer the medication and then give a small glass of milk.
B. Give the child a flavored ice pop just before giving the medication.
C. Use play to show and tell the child that the medication will taste good.
D. pour out capsule contents, crush pills, and give these with applesauce.
ANSWER: B
A. Essential foods, such as milk, should not be given with medications. The child
may later associate the food with the medicine and refuse the food. Some
medications should not be taken with milk.
B. The cold from the ice pop will help to numb the taste buds and weaken the taste
of the medication.
C. Providing potentially false information about the taste may affect the child’s trust.
If the child is old enough, warn the child that the medication is objectionable, but
then praise the child after the medication is swallowed.
D. Some capsules are extended release and should not be opened
, 6 . The nurse is administering oral medications to the client. Which steps should be taken by
the nurse to safely administer oral medications? Prioritize the nurse’s actions by placing each
step in the correct order.
A. Document on the client’s MAR administering the medication
B. Check the label after preparing the medication
C. Check the client’s name band and another agency- approved identifier
D. Review the medication prescribed on the medication administration record (MAR)
E. Check the label on the medication against the MAR
F. Give the medication to the client with a glass of water
G. Check the medication at the bedside
ANSWER: D. E. B. C. G. F. A
D. Review the medication prescribed on the MAR.
E. Check the label on the medication against the MAR.
B. Check the label after preparing the medication.
C. Check the client’s name band and another agency—approved identifier.
G. Check the medication at the bedside.
F. Give the medication to the client with a glass of water.
A. Document on the client’s MAR administering the medication. The medication should be
reviewed three times before administering it to the client: when obtaining the medication, after
preparing the medication, and at the bedside after the client’s name band has been checked.
This sequence is necessary so that the right client receives the right medication and dose, at
the right time.
7. The nurse is evaluating whether the client on multiple oral medications is taking the
medications correctly. Which finding should be most concerning to the nurse because the
absorption rate of medications can be increased?
A. Takes afternoon oral medications with a carbonated soft drink
B. Drinks a glass of milk with the tetracycline antibiotic oral medication
C. Takes morning oral medications with water and consumes 2500 mL of water
daily
D. Takes mealtime oral medications with a meal low in fiber and high in fatty foods
to contact the HCP to clarify what has been prescribed? Select all that apply.
A. Aspirin 325 mg orally qd
B. MS 4 mg IV q 1 hr pm
C. Furosemide 40 mg IV now
D. DSW with 20 mEq KCL IV at 125 1nL/hr
E. Heparin 5000 u subcutaneously bid
ANSWER: A, B, E
A. The nurse should clarify aspirin with the HCP because the abbreviation “qd” is
disallowed by the Joint Commission. The “qd” can be mistaken for every other day rather
than daily.
B. The nurse should clarify “MS” with the HCP. The use of MS is disallowed by the Joint
Commission because it can be mistaken for magnesium sulfate rather than morphine
sulfate.
C. Furosemide (Lasix) has the essential components of a medication order—medication
name, close, frequency, and route—and uses acceptable abbreviations.
D. D5W with 20 mEq KCL has the essential components of a medication order—medication
name, dose, frequency, and route—and uses acceptable abbreviations.
E. The nurse should clarify heparin with the HCP because the abbreviation “u” is disallowed
by the Joint Commission. The “11” can be mistaken for “0” (zero), the number “4” (four),
or “cc”.
2. The client is prescribed ferrous sulfate 300 mg PO bid. Which action should be taken by the
nurse?
A. Administer ferrous sulfate as prescribed to the client.
B. Contact the HCP to clarify the route of the medication.
C. Contact the HCP to question twice-daily administration.
D. Withhold the medication; the dose is beyond the usual range.
ANSWER: A
A. The nurse should administer ferrous sulfate (Feosol) as prescribed. All essential
information is included using approved abbreviations.
, B. The abbreviation “PO” is an acceptable abbreviation for the oral route and does not need
to be clarified with the HCP.
C. The abbreviation “bid” is acceptable for twice- daily administration, and at this dose.
D. The dose of ferrous sulfate is within the acceptable range and should not be withheld-
3. The nurse is reviewing the client’s prescribed medications. Which medications should the
nurse plan to clarify with the HCP? Select all that apply.
A. Digoxin 25 mg IV
B. D5NS with 20 mEq KCL now
C. Aspirin 325 mg tablet oral every am.
D. Lisinopril 5 mg oral bid
E. Hydromorphone 1 mg qlh as needed
ANSWER: A. B. E
A. Digoxin (Lanoxin) is missing the frequency and should be clarified with the HCP; the
dosage also is too large and will result in a medication error.
B. The IV solution is missing the rate and should be clarified with the HCP.
C. The prescribed aspirin contains the name of the medication, the dose, the route, and the
frequency and is correct.
D. The pre5cribed lisinOpril (Zestril) Contains the name of the medication, the dose, the
route, and the frequency and is correct. The abbreviation bid means twice daily and is an
accepted abbreviation.
E. The prescribed hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is missing the route. The abbreviation q1h is
an acceptable medication-related abbreviation indicating that hydromorphone may be
admin- istered every hour if needed.
4. The client provides a handwritten medication list that includes bupropion XL 150 mg daily.
The client also shows the nurse the medication bottle labeled bupropion XL 300 mg tablets.
Which questions should the nurse ask the client? Select all that apply.
A. “Has your dosage of bupropion increased or decreased recently?”
B. “Did you cut the tablets in half to give yourself the correct dose?"
C. “Are you taking bupropion to stop smoking or to treat depression?”
D. “When was the last time you took medication from this bottle?”
, E. “Have you had headaches, tremors, or dry mouth while taking bupropion?”
ANSWER: A. C. D. E
A. The handwritten medication list is half the strength of the tablets in the bottle.
Either the dose was increased and this is the correct bottle, or the dose was
decreased and the handwritten medication list is correct and this is the wrong
bottle.
B. Bupropion is sustained release; tablets should not be halved for safe
administration. This is the wrong question to ask.
C. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is commonly used for smoking cessation or treating
depression. It can also be used for treating ADHD in adults, or to increase sexual
desire in women.
D. The last time a dose was taken from the bottle will help determine the amount
the client is taking and to verify if it is the correct amount.
E. Major side effects of bupropion include headaches, tremors, and dry mouth. If
the client is taking a higher dose than prescribed, the client could be experiencing
side effects.
5. Before a child’s hospital discharge, the nurse is teaching the parents how to administer an
oral medication to the child. Which nurse instruction would be most appropriate?
A. Administer the medication and then give a small glass of milk.
B. Give the child a flavored ice pop just before giving the medication.
C. Use play to show and tell the child that the medication will taste good.
D. pour out capsule contents, crush pills, and give these with applesauce.
ANSWER: B
A. Essential foods, such as milk, should not be given with medications. The child
may later associate the food with the medicine and refuse the food. Some
medications should not be taken with milk.
B. The cold from the ice pop will help to numb the taste buds and weaken the taste
of the medication.
C. Providing potentially false information about the taste may affect the child’s trust.
If the child is old enough, warn the child that the medication is objectionable, but
then praise the child after the medication is swallowed.
D. Some capsules are extended release and should not be opened
, 6 . The nurse is administering oral medications to the client. Which steps should be taken by
the nurse to safely administer oral medications? Prioritize the nurse’s actions by placing each
step in the correct order.
A. Document on the client’s MAR administering the medication
B. Check the label after preparing the medication
C. Check the client’s name band and another agency- approved identifier
D. Review the medication prescribed on the medication administration record (MAR)
E. Check the label on the medication against the MAR
F. Give the medication to the client with a glass of water
G. Check the medication at the bedside
ANSWER: D. E. B. C. G. F. A
D. Review the medication prescribed on the MAR.
E. Check the label on the medication against the MAR.
B. Check the label after preparing the medication.
C. Check the client’s name band and another agency—approved identifier.
G. Check the medication at the bedside.
F. Give the medication to the client with a glass of water.
A. Document on the client’s MAR administering the medication. The medication should be
reviewed three times before administering it to the client: when obtaining the medication, after
preparing the medication, and at the bedside after the client’s name band has been checked.
This sequence is necessary so that the right client receives the right medication and dose, at
the right time.
7. The nurse is evaluating whether the client on multiple oral medications is taking the
medications correctly. Which finding should be most concerning to the nurse because the
absorption rate of medications can be increased?
A. Takes afternoon oral medications with a carbonated soft drink
B. Drinks a glass of milk with the tetracycline antibiotic oral medication
C. Takes morning oral medications with water and consumes 2500 mL of water
daily
D. Takes mealtime oral medications with a meal low in fiber and high in fatty foods
