NURS 104L Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab - Week 6
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. When preparing to administer an intramuscular injection using the Z-track
method, what is the primary rationale for this technique?
A. To reduce the pain associated with the needle insertion
B. To prevent the medication from leaking into the subcutaneous tissue
C. To ensure the medication is absorbed more rapidly into the bloodstream
D. To allow for a larger volume of medication to be administered
Answer: B
Rationale: The Z-track method creates a zigzag path that seals the medication in the
muscle tissue and prevents it from tracking back into the sensitive subcutaneous layer,
which reduces irritation and staining.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer 15 units of NPH insulin and 5 units of
Regular insulin. Which step should the nurse perform first?
A. Inject 15 units of air into the NPH vial
B. Draw up 5 units of Regular insulin
C. Inject 5 units of air into the Regular vial
D. Draw up 15 units of NPH insulin
Answer: A
Rationale: When mixing insulin, you first inject air into the cloudy (NPH) vial, then air into
the clear (Regular) vial, then draw up the clear, then draw up the cloudy (Cloudy-Clear-
Clear-Cloudy).
,3. What is the maximum volume of medication that should be administered in a
single subcutaneous injection for an average-sized adult?
A. 1.5 mL
B. 0.5 mL
C. 3.0 mL
D. 5.0 mL
Answer: A
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections, the volume usually ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 mL.
Amounts larger than 1.5 mL should be divided into two injections or given via a different
route.
4. When selecting a needle for an intramuscular injection in the ventrogluteal
site of an obese adult, which needle length is most appropriate?
A. 5/8 inch
B. 1 inch
C. 3 inches
D. 1.5 inches
Answer: D
Rationale: Obese patients require longer needles (usually 1.5 inches) to ensure the
medication reaches the muscle layer rather than the subcutaneous adipose tissue.
5. A nurse is assessing a wound and notes a thick, yellow-green drainage. How
should this be documented?
A. Serous drainage
B. Sanguineous drainage
C. Purulent drainage
D. Serosanguineous drainage
Answer: C
, Rationale: Purulent drainage is thick, malodorous, and can vary in color (yellow, green, or
brown), indicating the presence of WBCs, bacteria, and debris (infection).
6. Which anatomical landmark is used to locate the ventrogluteal injection site?
A. The acromion process
B. The greater trochanter and the anterior superior iliac spine
C. The patella and the greater trochanter
D. The posterior superior iliac spine
Answer: B
Rationale: To locate the ventrogluteal site, place the palm over the greater trochanter,
point the index finger toward the anterior superior iliac spine, and the middle finger
toward the iliac crest.
7. During a sterile dressing change, the nurse drops a sterile gauze pad onto the
1-inch border of the sterile field. What is the correct action?
A. Consider the gauze contaminated and discard it
B. Pick it up with sterile forceps and use it
C. Use the gauze as long as it did not touch the table
D. Wash the gauze with sterile saline before use
Answer: A
Rationale: The 1-inch border of a sterile field is considered non-sterile. Anything touching
that border is contaminated.
8. What is the appropriate angle of insertion for an intradermal injection?
A. 5 to 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Answer: A
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. When preparing to administer an intramuscular injection using the Z-track
method, what is the primary rationale for this technique?
A. To reduce the pain associated with the needle insertion
B. To prevent the medication from leaking into the subcutaneous tissue
C. To ensure the medication is absorbed more rapidly into the bloodstream
D. To allow for a larger volume of medication to be administered
Answer: B
Rationale: The Z-track method creates a zigzag path that seals the medication in the
muscle tissue and prevents it from tracking back into the sensitive subcutaneous layer,
which reduces irritation and staining.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer 15 units of NPH insulin and 5 units of
Regular insulin. Which step should the nurse perform first?
A. Inject 15 units of air into the NPH vial
B. Draw up 5 units of Regular insulin
C. Inject 5 units of air into the Regular vial
D. Draw up 15 units of NPH insulin
Answer: A
Rationale: When mixing insulin, you first inject air into the cloudy (NPH) vial, then air into
the clear (Regular) vial, then draw up the clear, then draw up the cloudy (Cloudy-Clear-
Clear-Cloudy).
,3. What is the maximum volume of medication that should be administered in a
single subcutaneous injection for an average-sized adult?
A. 1.5 mL
B. 0.5 mL
C. 3.0 mL
D. 5.0 mL
Answer: A
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections, the volume usually ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 mL.
Amounts larger than 1.5 mL should be divided into two injections or given via a different
route.
4. When selecting a needle for an intramuscular injection in the ventrogluteal
site of an obese adult, which needle length is most appropriate?
A. 5/8 inch
B. 1 inch
C. 3 inches
D. 1.5 inches
Answer: D
Rationale: Obese patients require longer needles (usually 1.5 inches) to ensure the
medication reaches the muscle layer rather than the subcutaneous adipose tissue.
5. A nurse is assessing a wound and notes a thick, yellow-green drainage. How
should this be documented?
A. Serous drainage
B. Sanguineous drainage
C. Purulent drainage
D. Serosanguineous drainage
Answer: C
, Rationale: Purulent drainage is thick, malodorous, and can vary in color (yellow, green, or
brown), indicating the presence of WBCs, bacteria, and debris (infection).
6. Which anatomical landmark is used to locate the ventrogluteal injection site?
A. The acromion process
B. The greater trochanter and the anterior superior iliac spine
C. The patella and the greater trochanter
D. The posterior superior iliac spine
Answer: B
Rationale: To locate the ventrogluteal site, place the palm over the greater trochanter,
point the index finger toward the anterior superior iliac spine, and the middle finger
toward the iliac crest.
7. During a sterile dressing change, the nurse drops a sterile gauze pad onto the
1-inch border of the sterile field. What is the correct action?
A. Consider the gauze contaminated and discard it
B. Pick it up with sterile forceps and use it
C. Use the gauze as long as it did not touch the table
D. Wash the gauze with sterile saline before use
Answer: A
Rationale: The 1-inch border of a sterile field is considered non-sterile. Anything touching
that border is contaminated.
8. What is the appropriate angle of insertion for an intradermal injection?
A. 5 to 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Answer: A
