NURS 104L | Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab | Week 10:
Medication Administration & Parenteral Skills 2026 |WCU
1. When administering an intramuscular injection to an adult patient in the
ventrogluteal site, which landmark is used to determine the injection point?
A. The greater trochanter, the anterior superior iliac spine, and the iliac crest.
B. The acromion process and the axillary fold.
C. The patella and the greater trochanter of the femur.
D. The posterior superior iliac spine and the coccyx.
Answer: A
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is located by placing the palm over the greater
trochanter, the index finger on the anterior superior iliac spine, and spreading the middle
finger toward the iliac crest.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer 0.5 mL of a medication subcutaneously to a
client of average weight. Which needle size is most appropriate?
A. 18 gauge, 1.5 inch
B. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
C. 22 gauge, 1 inch
D. 30 gauge, 1/2 inch
Answer: B
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections in an average-sized adult, a 25-gauge, 5/8-inch
needle at a 45-degree angle or a 1/2-inch needle at a 90-degree angle is standard.
,3. What is the primary purpose of using the Z-track technique for intramuscular
injections?
A. To decrease the pain associated with the needle puncture.
B. To prevent the medication from leaking back into the subcutaneous tissue.
C. To ensure the medication reaches the bone for faster absorption.
D. To allow for the administration of larger volumes of fluid.
Answer: B
Rationale: The Z-track method creates a zigzag path that seals the medication in the
muscle tissue and prevents irritation or staining of the subcutaneous layers.
4. A nurse is mixing Regular insulin and NPH insulin in one syringe. Which action
should the nurse take first after verifying the order?
A. Draw up the Regular insulin.
B. Inject air into the Regular insulin vial.
C. Inject air into the NPH insulin vial.
D. Draw up the NPH insulin.
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct sequence for mixing insulin is to inject air into the cloudy (NPH)
vial first, then air into the clear (Regular) vial, then draw up the clear, then draw up the
cloudy.
5. When administering a medication via the intradermal route, at what angle
should the nurse insert the needle?
A. 5 to 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Answer: A
, Rationale: Intradermal injections are administered into the dermis just under the
epidermis at a shallow angle of 5 to 15 degrees.
6. Which of the following is a ‘High-Alert’ medication that requires a second
nurse to verify the dose before administration?
A. Subcutaneous Heparin
B. Furosemide
C. Amoxicillin
D. Acetaminophen
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticoagulants like Heparin and Insulin are considered high-alert medications
and standard safety protocols require a double-check by another licensed nurse.
7. The nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection into the deltoid muscle.
What is the maximum volume that should be injected into this site for an adult?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL
C. 3 mL
D. 5 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: The deltoid muscle is small and can only accommodate small volumes, typically
up to 1 mL in adults. Larger volumes should be given in the ventrogluteal or vastus
lateralis.
Medication Administration & Parenteral Skills 2026 |WCU
1. When administering an intramuscular injection to an adult patient in the
ventrogluteal site, which landmark is used to determine the injection point?
A. The greater trochanter, the anterior superior iliac spine, and the iliac crest.
B. The acromion process and the axillary fold.
C. The patella and the greater trochanter of the femur.
D. The posterior superior iliac spine and the coccyx.
Answer: A
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is located by placing the palm over the greater
trochanter, the index finger on the anterior superior iliac spine, and spreading the middle
finger toward the iliac crest.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer 0.5 mL of a medication subcutaneously to a
client of average weight. Which needle size is most appropriate?
A. 18 gauge, 1.5 inch
B. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
C. 22 gauge, 1 inch
D. 30 gauge, 1/2 inch
Answer: B
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections in an average-sized adult, a 25-gauge, 5/8-inch
needle at a 45-degree angle or a 1/2-inch needle at a 90-degree angle is standard.
,3. What is the primary purpose of using the Z-track technique for intramuscular
injections?
A. To decrease the pain associated with the needle puncture.
B. To prevent the medication from leaking back into the subcutaneous tissue.
C. To ensure the medication reaches the bone for faster absorption.
D. To allow for the administration of larger volumes of fluid.
Answer: B
Rationale: The Z-track method creates a zigzag path that seals the medication in the
muscle tissue and prevents irritation or staining of the subcutaneous layers.
4. A nurse is mixing Regular insulin and NPH insulin in one syringe. Which action
should the nurse take first after verifying the order?
A. Draw up the Regular insulin.
B. Inject air into the Regular insulin vial.
C. Inject air into the NPH insulin vial.
D. Draw up the NPH insulin.
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct sequence for mixing insulin is to inject air into the cloudy (NPH)
vial first, then air into the clear (Regular) vial, then draw up the clear, then draw up the
cloudy.
5. When administering a medication via the intradermal route, at what angle
should the nurse insert the needle?
A. 5 to 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Answer: A
, Rationale: Intradermal injections are administered into the dermis just under the
epidermis at a shallow angle of 5 to 15 degrees.
6. Which of the following is a ‘High-Alert’ medication that requires a second
nurse to verify the dose before administration?
A. Subcutaneous Heparin
B. Furosemide
C. Amoxicillin
D. Acetaminophen
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticoagulants like Heparin and Insulin are considered high-alert medications
and standard safety protocols require a double-check by another licensed nurse.
7. The nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection into the deltoid muscle.
What is the maximum volume that should be injected into this site for an adult?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL
C. 3 mL
D. 5 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: The deltoid muscle is small and can only accommodate small volumes, typically
up to 1 mL in adults. Larger volumes should be given in the ventrogluteal or vastus
lateralis.
