NSG 3023 Chapter 17 QUIZ
Chapter 17: Administering Medications
Potter: Essentials for Nursing Practice, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A registered nurse for more than 15 years was concerned when she learned that her hospital
was going to let unlicensed nursing assistants start IVs on patients. The nurse knew this was
in violation of the scope of nursing practice in her state. Which of the following
organizations defines the scope of nursing’s professional functions and responsibilities?
a. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
b. The MedWatch program
c. Employee assistance programs (EAP)
d. State Nurse Practice Acts
ANS: D
State Nurse Practice Acts have the most influence over nursing practice because they define
the scope of nurses’ professional functions and responsibilities. The primary intent of state
Nurse Practice Acts is to protect the public from unskilled, undereducated, and unlicensed
nurses. The FDA ensures that all medications on the market undergo rigorous review before
allowing manufacturers to distribute them to the public. In 1993, the FDA instituted the
MedWatch program. This voluntary program encourages nurses and other health care
professionals to report when a medication, product, or medical event causes serious harm to
a patient. Mandatory reporting is required for medication manufacturers, distributors, and
packers. A wide variety of programs to help people who abuse medications are offered
through an institution’s employee assistance program (EAP), the State Board of Nursing,
and community agencies.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: 378 | 379
OBJ: Discuss legal responsibilities in medication prescription and administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. A 34 year old has been on morphine for 6 months after back surgery and has gone to
multiple health care providers to obtain prescriptions. Which term best describes this
situation?
a. Medication dependence
b. Medication abuse
c. Medication misuse
d. Medication underuse
ANS: B
, Medication abuse happens when patients repeatedly use an addictive substance (e.g., opioids
or alcohol). Medication dependence happens when a patient experiences withdrawal
symptoms when the medication is stopped abruptly. Medication misuse includes overuse,
underuse, erratic use, and contraindicated use of medications. Patients of all ages misuse
medications. Some people use medications for purposes other than their intended effect.
Medication underuse occurs when people use medications less than the amount intended
when symptoms subside
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: 379
OBJ: Discuss legal responsibilities in medication prescription and administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. A patient calls to say that he is unable to pay for the medication from a specific
manufacturer that was prescribed. The health care provider gives another name for the
medication and suggests the patient look for this name instead. The new name was probably
which of the following?
a. Generic
b. Trade
c. Chemical
d. Proprietary
ANS: A
The trade or brand name (e.g., Tylenol) is the name under which a manufacturer markets a
medication. The trade name has the symbol ® to the upper right of the name, indicating that
the manufacturer has registered the medication’s name. Acetaminophen is an example of a
generic name. It is the generic name for Tylenol. A medication sometimes has as many as
three different names. A medication’s chemical name is an exact description of the
medication’s composition and molecular structure. In clinical practice, health care workers
rarely use chemical names. An example of a chemical name is N-acetyl-para-aminophenol,
which is commonly known as Tylenol. The manufacturer who first develops the medication
gives the generic or nonproprietary name with United States Adopted Names Council
(USANC) approval. The generic name becomes the official name that is listed in
publications such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: 379
OBJ: Discuss legal responsibilities in medication prescription and administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. A patient is unable to swallow pain medication following oral surgery. What would be the
appropriate form of the medication to use to administer the drug using the rectal route?
a. Tablet
b. Elixir
c. Capsule
d. Suppository
ANS: D
, Medications are available in a variety of forms or preparations. The form of the medication
determines its route of administration. Manufacturers make many medications in several
forms, such as tablets, capsules, elixirs, and suppositories. Suppositories are solid dosage
form mixed with gelatin and shaped in the form of a pellet for insertion into a body cavity
(rectum or vagina). A suppository melts when it reaches body temperature, allowing the
medication to be absorbed. A tablet is a powdered medication compressed into a hard disk
or cylinder and designed to be taken orally. An elixir is a clear fluid containing water and
alcohol; designed for oral use; usually sweetener has been added. A capsule is medication
encased in a gelatin shell and taken orally.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: 379 | 380 | 385
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. A 12-year-old patient has undergone knee surgery. She has an order for pain medication,
which can be given by several different routes. Which of the following routes of
administration will provide the fastest pain relief?
a. Transcutaneous
b. Intravenous
c. Oral
d. Rectal
ANS: B
Intravenous (IV) injection produces the most rapid absorption because medications given in
this route are immediately absorbed into the systemic circulation. When you place
medications on the skin (transcutaneous), absorption is slow because of the physical makeup
of the skin. The body also absorbs oral medications at a slow rate because these medications
have to pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The body absorbs medications through
the mucous membranes (rectal and buccal) and respiratory airways quickly because these
tissues contain many blood vessels, but the intravenous route is fastest.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
REF: 379 | 380
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
6. The nurse is preparing oral medications for a patient. In preparing these medications the
nurse is aware of which of the following?
a. Acidic medications are absorbed slowly by the gastric mucosa.
b. Alkaline medications are absorbed rapidly by the gastric mucosa.
c. Solutions and suspensions are more difficult to absorb than capsules.
d. Alkaline medications are absorbed in the small intestine.
ANS: D
Chapter 17: Administering Medications
Potter: Essentials for Nursing Practice, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A registered nurse for more than 15 years was concerned when she learned that her hospital
was going to let unlicensed nursing assistants start IVs on patients. The nurse knew this was
in violation of the scope of nursing practice in her state. Which of the following
organizations defines the scope of nursing’s professional functions and responsibilities?
a. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
b. The MedWatch program
c. Employee assistance programs (EAP)
d. State Nurse Practice Acts
ANS: D
State Nurse Practice Acts have the most influence over nursing practice because they define
the scope of nurses’ professional functions and responsibilities. The primary intent of state
Nurse Practice Acts is to protect the public from unskilled, undereducated, and unlicensed
nurses. The FDA ensures that all medications on the market undergo rigorous review before
allowing manufacturers to distribute them to the public. In 1993, the FDA instituted the
MedWatch program. This voluntary program encourages nurses and other health care
professionals to report when a medication, product, or medical event causes serious harm to
a patient. Mandatory reporting is required for medication manufacturers, distributors, and
packers. A wide variety of programs to help people who abuse medications are offered
through an institution’s employee assistance program (EAP), the State Board of Nursing,
and community agencies.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: 378 | 379
OBJ: Discuss legal responsibilities in medication prescription and administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. A 34 year old has been on morphine for 6 months after back surgery and has gone to
multiple health care providers to obtain prescriptions. Which term best describes this
situation?
a. Medication dependence
b. Medication abuse
c. Medication misuse
d. Medication underuse
ANS: B
, Medication abuse happens when patients repeatedly use an addictive substance (e.g., opioids
or alcohol). Medication dependence happens when a patient experiences withdrawal
symptoms when the medication is stopped abruptly. Medication misuse includes overuse,
underuse, erratic use, and contraindicated use of medications. Patients of all ages misuse
medications. Some people use medications for purposes other than their intended effect.
Medication underuse occurs when people use medications less than the amount intended
when symptoms subside
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: 379
OBJ: Discuss legal responsibilities in medication prescription and administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. A patient calls to say that he is unable to pay for the medication from a specific
manufacturer that was prescribed. The health care provider gives another name for the
medication and suggests the patient look for this name instead. The new name was probably
which of the following?
a. Generic
b. Trade
c. Chemical
d. Proprietary
ANS: A
The trade or brand name (e.g., Tylenol) is the name under which a manufacturer markets a
medication. The trade name has the symbol ® to the upper right of the name, indicating that
the manufacturer has registered the medication’s name. Acetaminophen is an example of a
generic name. It is the generic name for Tylenol. A medication sometimes has as many as
three different names. A medication’s chemical name is an exact description of the
medication’s composition and molecular structure. In clinical practice, health care workers
rarely use chemical names. An example of a chemical name is N-acetyl-para-aminophenol,
which is commonly known as Tylenol. The manufacturer who first develops the medication
gives the generic or nonproprietary name with United States Adopted Names Council
(USANC) approval. The generic name becomes the official name that is listed in
publications such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: 379
OBJ: Discuss legal responsibilities in medication prescription and administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. A patient is unable to swallow pain medication following oral surgery. What would be the
appropriate form of the medication to use to administer the drug using the rectal route?
a. Tablet
b. Elixir
c. Capsule
d. Suppository
ANS: D
, Medications are available in a variety of forms or preparations. The form of the medication
determines its route of administration. Manufacturers make many medications in several
forms, such as tablets, capsules, elixirs, and suppositories. Suppositories are solid dosage
form mixed with gelatin and shaped in the form of a pellet for insertion into a body cavity
(rectum or vagina). A suppository melts when it reaches body temperature, allowing the
medication to be absorbed. A tablet is a powdered medication compressed into a hard disk
or cylinder and designed to be taken orally. An elixir is a clear fluid containing water and
alcohol; designed for oral use; usually sweetener has been added. A capsule is medication
encased in a gelatin shell and taken orally.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: 379 | 380 | 385
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. A 12-year-old patient has undergone knee surgery. She has an order for pain medication,
which can be given by several different routes. Which of the following routes of
administration will provide the fastest pain relief?
a. Transcutaneous
b. Intravenous
c. Oral
d. Rectal
ANS: B
Intravenous (IV) injection produces the most rapid absorption because medications given in
this route are immediately absorbed into the systemic circulation. When you place
medications on the skin (transcutaneous), absorption is slow because of the physical makeup
of the skin. The body also absorbs oral medications at a slow rate because these medications
have to pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The body absorbs medications through
the mucous membranes (rectal and buccal) and respiratory airways quickly because these
tissues contain many blood vessels, but the intravenous route is fastest.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
REF: 379 | 380
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
6. The nurse is preparing oral medications for a patient. In preparing these medications the
nurse is aware of which of the following?
a. Acidic medications are absorbed slowly by the gastric mucosa.
b. Alkaline medications are absorbed rapidly by the gastric mucosa.
c. Solutions and suspensions are more difficult to absorb than capsules.
d. Alkaline medications are absorbed in the small intestine.
ANS: D
