NR 293 Pharmacology Medication Safety & Dosage Calculations 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a patient. Which action is
the highest priority to ensure medication safety?
A. Asking a coworker to double-check all calculations
B. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times
C. Documenting the administration immediately after giving it
D. Checking the patient’s room number against the chart
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard safety protocol involves checking the medication label against the
Medication Administration Record (MAR) three times (before removing from the drawer,
when preparing, and at the bedside).
2. A provider orders 1 gram of a medication to be given every 12 hours. The
available dose is 500 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 2 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 0.5 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Answer: A
Rationale: 1 gram is equal to 1000 mg. 1000 mg divided by 500 mg per tablet equals 2
tablets.
,3. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected in a patient with chronic
liver disease?
A. Excretion
B. Distribution
C. Absorption
D. Metabolism
Answer: D
Rationale: The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism. Liver disease can lead to
decreased metabolic function and potential drug toxicity.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for a sublingual
medication. Which instruction is correct?
A. Swallow the pill with a full glass of water.
B. Place the medication under the tongue and let it dissolve.
C. Crush the pill and mix it with applesauce.
D. Chew the medication thoroughly before swallowing.
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual medications must be placed under the tongue to be absorbed
through the mucous membranes into the bloodstream, bypassing the first-pass effect.
5. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of an oral suspension. The bottle is labeled 125
mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 2 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 5 mL
D. 15 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: Using the formula (Desired/Have) x Quantity: (250 mg / 125 mg) x 5 mL = 2 x 5
mL = 10 mL.
, 6. Which of the following is considered a ‘High-Alert’ medication?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Insulin
C. Guaifenesin
D. Loratadine
Answer: B
Rationale: High-alert medications, such as insulin, heparin, and opioids, have a high risk of
causing significant patient harm when used in error.
7. What is the first action a nurse should take after realizing a medication error
has occurred?
A. Notify the provider.
B. Complete an incident report.
C. Assess the patient’s condition.
D. Inform the nurse manager.
Answer: C
Rationale: The patient’s safety is the priority. The nurse must first assess the patient for
any adverse effects before notifying the provider or documenting the error.
8. An IV infusion of 1,000 mL Normal Saline is ordered to run over 8 hours. The
drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 125 gtt/min
Answer: B
Rationale: (Total Volume in mL x Drop Factor) / Time in minutes. (1000 x 15) / (8 x 60) =
15, = 31.25, rounded to 31 gtt/min.
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a patient. Which action is
the highest priority to ensure medication safety?
A. Asking a coworker to double-check all calculations
B. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times
C. Documenting the administration immediately after giving it
D. Checking the patient’s room number against the chart
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard safety protocol involves checking the medication label against the
Medication Administration Record (MAR) three times (before removing from the drawer,
when preparing, and at the bedside).
2. A provider orders 1 gram of a medication to be given every 12 hours. The
available dose is 500 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 2 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 0.5 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Answer: A
Rationale: 1 gram is equal to 1000 mg. 1000 mg divided by 500 mg per tablet equals 2
tablets.
,3. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected in a patient with chronic
liver disease?
A. Excretion
B. Distribution
C. Absorption
D. Metabolism
Answer: D
Rationale: The liver is the primary site for drug metabolism. Liver disease can lead to
decreased metabolic function and potential drug toxicity.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for a sublingual
medication. Which instruction is correct?
A. Swallow the pill with a full glass of water.
B. Place the medication under the tongue and let it dissolve.
C. Crush the pill and mix it with applesauce.
D. Chew the medication thoroughly before swallowing.
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual medications must be placed under the tongue to be absorbed
through the mucous membranes into the bloodstream, bypassing the first-pass effect.
5. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of an oral suspension. The bottle is labeled 125
mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 2 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 5 mL
D. 15 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: Using the formula (Desired/Have) x Quantity: (250 mg / 125 mg) x 5 mL = 2 x 5
mL = 10 mL.
, 6. Which of the following is considered a ‘High-Alert’ medication?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Insulin
C. Guaifenesin
D. Loratadine
Answer: B
Rationale: High-alert medications, such as insulin, heparin, and opioids, have a high risk of
causing significant patient harm when used in error.
7. What is the first action a nurse should take after realizing a medication error
has occurred?
A. Notify the provider.
B. Complete an incident report.
C. Assess the patient’s condition.
D. Inform the nurse manager.
Answer: C
Rationale: The patient’s safety is the priority. The nurse must first assess the patient for
any adverse effects before notifying the provider or documenting the error.
8. An IV infusion of 1,000 mL Normal Saline is ordered to run over 8 hours. The
drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 125 gtt/min
Answer: B
Rationale: (Total Volume in mL x Drop Factor) / Time in minutes. (1000 x 15) / (8 x 60) =
15, = 31.25, rounded to 31 gtt/min.
