Medication Administration NURS 226 – Nursing Fundamentals Review, Study Guide and
Practice Questions
It is important to take precautions to prevent medication errors. A nurse is administering an oral
tablet to a patient. Which of the following steps is the second check for accuracy in determining
the patient is receiving the right medication?
1. logging on to automated dispensing system (ADS) or unlocking medicine drawer or cart
2. before going to patient's room, comparing patient's name and name of medication on label
of prepared drugs with MAR
3. selecting correct medication from ADS, unit-dose drawer, or stock supply and comparing
name of medication on label with MAR or computer printout
4. comparing MAR or computer printout with names of medications on medication label and
patient name at patient's bedside - 2
An older adult states that she cannot see her medication bottles clearly to determine when to
take her prescription. What should the nurse do? (select all that apply)
1. provide a dispensing system for each day of the week
2. provide larger, easier-to-read labels
3. tell the patient what is in each container
4. have a family caregiver administer the medication
5. use teach-back to ensure that the patient knows what medications to take and when - 1, 2, 5
The nurse must take a verbal order during an emergency on the unit. Which of the following
guidelines can be used for taking verbal or telephone orders? (select all that apply)
1. only authorized staff may receive and record verbal or telephone orders; the health care
agency identifies in writing the staff who are authorized
2. clearly identify patient's name, room number, and diagnosis
3. read back all orders to health care provider
4. use clarification questions to avoid misunderstanding
, 5. write VO (verbal order) or TO (telephone order), including date and time, name of patient,
and complete order; sign the name of the health care provider and nurse - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (all the
above!)
A nurse is administering ophthalmic ointment to a patient; place the following steps in correct
order for the administration of the ointment
1. clean eyes, washing from inner to outer canthus
2. assess patient's LOC and ability to follow instructions
3. apply thin ribbon of ointment evenly along the inner edge of lower eyelid on conjunctiva
4. have patient close eye and rub lightly in a circular motion with a cotton ball
5. ask patient to look at the ceiling and explain the steps to patient - 2, 1, 5, 3, 4
The nurse is administering an IV push medication to a patient who has compatible IV fluid
running through intravenous tubing; place the following steps in the appropriate order:
1. release tubing and inject medication within amount of time recommended by agency policy,
pharmacist, or medication manual; use watch to time administration
2. select injection port of IV tubing closest to patient; whenever possible, injection port should
accept a needless syringe; use IV filter if required by medication reference or agency policy
3. after injecting medication, release tubing, withdraw syringe, and recheck fluid infusion rate
4. connect syringe to port of IV line; insert needless tip or small-gauge needle of syringe
containing prepared drug through center of injection port
5. clean injection port with antiseptic swab; allow to dry
6. occlude IV line by pinching tubing just above injection port; pull back gently on syringe p - 2,
5, 4, 6, 1, 3
A nurse is administering a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer to a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease; place the following steps in the correct order
1. insert MDI into end of spacer
2. perform a respiratory assessment
Practice Questions
It is important to take precautions to prevent medication errors. A nurse is administering an oral
tablet to a patient. Which of the following steps is the second check for accuracy in determining
the patient is receiving the right medication?
1. logging on to automated dispensing system (ADS) or unlocking medicine drawer or cart
2. before going to patient's room, comparing patient's name and name of medication on label
of prepared drugs with MAR
3. selecting correct medication from ADS, unit-dose drawer, or stock supply and comparing
name of medication on label with MAR or computer printout
4. comparing MAR or computer printout with names of medications on medication label and
patient name at patient's bedside - 2
An older adult states that she cannot see her medication bottles clearly to determine when to
take her prescription. What should the nurse do? (select all that apply)
1. provide a dispensing system for each day of the week
2. provide larger, easier-to-read labels
3. tell the patient what is in each container
4. have a family caregiver administer the medication
5. use teach-back to ensure that the patient knows what medications to take and when - 1, 2, 5
The nurse must take a verbal order during an emergency on the unit. Which of the following
guidelines can be used for taking verbal or telephone orders? (select all that apply)
1. only authorized staff may receive and record verbal or telephone orders; the health care
agency identifies in writing the staff who are authorized
2. clearly identify patient's name, room number, and diagnosis
3. read back all orders to health care provider
4. use clarification questions to avoid misunderstanding
, 5. write VO (verbal order) or TO (telephone order), including date and time, name of patient,
and complete order; sign the name of the health care provider and nurse - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (all the
above!)
A nurse is administering ophthalmic ointment to a patient; place the following steps in correct
order for the administration of the ointment
1. clean eyes, washing from inner to outer canthus
2. assess patient's LOC and ability to follow instructions
3. apply thin ribbon of ointment evenly along the inner edge of lower eyelid on conjunctiva
4. have patient close eye and rub lightly in a circular motion with a cotton ball
5. ask patient to look at the ceiling and explain the steps to patient - 2, 1, 5, 3, 4
The nurse is administering an IV push medication to a patient who has compatible IV fluid
running through intravenous tubing; place the following steps in the appropriate order:
1. release tubing and inject medication within amount of time recommended by agency policy,
pharmacist, or medication manual; use watch to time administration
2. select injection port of IV tubing closest to patient; whenever possible, injection port should
accept a needless syringe; use IV filter if required by medication reference or agency policy
3. after injecting medication, release tubing, withdraw syringe, and recheck fluid infusion rate
4. connect syringe to port of IV line; insert needless tip or small-gauge needle of syringe
containing prepared drug through center of injection port
5. clean injection port with antiseptic swab; allow to dry
6. occlude IV line by pinching tubing just above injection port; pull back gently on syringe p - 2,
5, 4, 6, 1, 3
A nurse is administering a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer to a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease; place the following steps in the correct order
1. insert MDI into end of spacer
2. perform a respiratory assessment
