ECPI NUR 164 Chapters 1-7
Questions With Complete
Solutions
Course
NUR 164
1. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin. Before administering the medication,
which assessment is the priority?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Blood glucose level
C. Apical pulse rate
D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse rate
Complete Solution:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess the apical pulse for one full minute
before administration and withhold the medication if the pulse is below the prescribed parameter,
commonly 60 bpm. This prevents potential cardiac complications.
2. Which action by the nurse best demonstrates the “right patient” principle of medication
administration?
A. Asking the patient their room number
B. Comparing the medication label with the MAR
C. Using two patient identifiers before administration
D. Asking another nurse to verify the medication
Correct Answer: C. Using two patient identifiers before administration
Complete Solution:
Patient safety standards require verification using at least two identifiers, such as the patient’s
full name and date of birth. Room numbers should not be used as identifiers because patients
may change rooms.
3. A patient develops itching and hives after receiving penicillin. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Document the findings later
B. Continue monitoring the patient
C. Stop the medication immediately
D. Encourage fluid intake
,Correct Answer: C. Stop the medication immediately
Complete Solution:
Hives and itching may indicate an allergic reaction. The medication should be stopped
immediately to prevent progression to anaphylaxis. The provider should then be notified and
emergency interventions initiated if needed.
4. Which route of medication administration provides the fastest systemic absorption?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous
Correct Answer: D. Intravenous
Complete Solution:
Intravenous medications enter directly into the bloodstream, producing an immediate effect and
100% bioavailability. Other routes require absorption before entering circulation.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a newly prescribed antibiotic. Which patient statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. “I can stop taking it once I feel better.”
B. “I should complete the entire prescription.”
C. “I will double the dose if I miss one.”
D. “I can share leftover medication with family.”
Correct Answer: B. “I should complete the entire prescription.”
Complete Solution:
Completing the entire antibiotic course helps eliminate the infection completely and reduces the
risk of antibiotic resistance. Stopping early may result in recurrence or resistant organisms.
6. A medication order reads morphine 4 mg IV every 4 hours PRN pain. What does “PRN”
indicate?
A. Give medication routinely
B. Give medication before meals
C. Give medication as needed
D. Give medication immediately
Correct Answer: C. Give medication as needed
, Complete Solution:
“PRN” is a medical abbreviation meaning “as needed.” The nurse administers the medication
only when the patient meets the criteria specified in the order, such as pain.
7. Which factor places older adults at increased risk for medication toxicity?
A. Increased liver metabolism
B. Increased renal function
C. Polypharmacy and decreased organ function
D. Faster drug excretion
Correct Answer: C. Polypharmacy and decreased organ function
Complete Solution:
Older adults often experience reduced kidney and liver function, slowing medication metabolism
and excretion. Multiple medications also increase the risk of interactions and adverse effects.
8. A nurse accidentally administers the wrong dose of medication. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Complete an incident report
C. Assess the patient for adverse effects
D. Inform the patient’s family immediately
Correct Answer: C. Assess the patient for adverse effects
Complete Solution:
Patient safety is always the priority. The nurse should first assess the patient’s condition and
intervene if necessary. After assessment, the provider should be notified and documentation
completed according to policy.
9. Which injection site is most appropriate for intramuscular injections in adults?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Abdomen
C. Inner forearm
D. Dorsal hand
Correct Answer: A. Deltoid muscle
Questions With Complete
Solutions
Course
NUR 164
1. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin. Before administering the medication,
which assessment is the priority?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Blood glucose level
C. Apical pulse rate
D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse rate
Complete Solution:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess the apical pulse for one full minute
before administration and withhold the medication if the pulse is below the prescribed parameter,
commonly 60 bpm. This prevents potential cardiac complications.
2. Which action by the nurse best demonstrates the “right patient” principle of medication
administration?
A. Asking the patient their room number
B. Comparing the medication label with the MAR
C. Using two patient identifiers before administration
D. Asking another nurse to verify the medication
Correct Answer: C. Using two patient identifiers before administration
Complete Solution:
Patient safety standards require verification using at least two identifiers, such as the patient’s
full name and date of birth. Room numbers should not be used as identifiers because patients
may change rooms.
3. A patient develops itching and hives after receiving penicillin. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Document the findings later
B. Continue monitoring the patient
C. Stop the medication immediately
D. Encourage fluid intake
,Correct Answer: C. Stop the medication immediately
Complete Solution:
Hives and itching may indicate an allergic reaction. The medication should be stopped
immediately to prevent progression to anaphylaxis. The provider should then be notified and
emergency interventions initiated if needed.
4. Which route of medication administration provides the fastest systemic absorption?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous
Correct Answer: D. Intravenous
Complete Solution:
Intravenous medications enter directly into the bloodstream, producing an immediate effect and
100% bioavailability. Other routes require absorption before entering circulation.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a newly prescribed antibiotic. Which patient statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. “I can stop taking it once I feel better.”
B. “I should complete the entire prescription.”
C. “I will double the dose if I miss one.”
D. “I can share leftover medication with family.”
Correct Answer: B. “I should complete the entire prescription.”
Complete Solution:
Completing the entire antibiotic course helps eliminate the infection completely and reduces the
risk of antibiotic resistance. Stopping early may result in recurrence or resistant organisms.
6. A medication order reads morphine 4 mg IV every 4 hours PRN pain. What does “PRN”
indicate?
A. Give medication routinely
B. Give medication before meals
C. Give medication as needed
D. Give medication immediately
Correct Answer: C. Give medication as needed
, Complete Solution:
“PRN” is a medical abbreviation meaning “as needed.” The nurse administers the medication
only when the patient meets the criteria specified in the order, such as pain.
7. Which factor places older adults at increased risk for medication toxicity?
A. Increased liver metabolism
B. Increased renal function
C. Polypharmacy and decreased organ function
D. Faster drug excretion
Correct Answer: C. Polypharmacy and decreased organ function
Complete Solution:
Older adults often experience reduced kidney and liver function, slowing medication metabolism
and excretion. Multiple medications also increase the risk of interactions and adverse effects.
8. A nurse accidentally administers the wrong dose of medication. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Complete an incident report
C. Assess the patient for adverse effects
D. Inform the patient’s family immediately
Correct Answer: C. Assess the patient for adverse effects
Complete Solution:
Patient safety is always the priority. The nurse should first assess the patient’s condition and
intervene if necessary. After assessment, the provider should be notified and documentation
completed according to policy.
9. Which injection site is most appropriate for intramuscular injections in adults?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Abdomen
C. Inner forearm
D. Dorsal hand
Correct Answer: A. Deltoid muscle
