MEDICATION EXAM PRACTICE EXAM
2023 ACTUAL EXAM
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone knee replacement and will have
decreased mobility for a period of time. Which medications does the nurse expect the
primary health care provider to prescribe to prevent deep vein thrombosis (or blood
clots) in this patient? Select all that apply.
A. Heparin (Liquaemin)
B. Warfarin (Coumadin)
C. Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
D. Metoprolol (Lopressor)
E. Morphine sulfate (Roxanol)
Heparin (Liquaemin) is used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Warfarin
(Coumadin) is an anticoagulant drug that helps in preventing the formation of blood
clots in patients with decreased mobility. Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low molecular
weight heparin used to prevent blood clots. Other medications such as metoprolol
(Lopressor), and morphine sulfate (Roxanol) are not used to prevent deep vein
thrombosis. Morphine sulfate (Roxanol) is an opioid analgesic that decreases pain by
acting on the central nervous system. Metoprolol (Lopressor) is useful in relieving
hypertension.
A nurse who is responsible for dispensing medications understands that every patient
requires a different dosage for a given drug. Various factors affect the absorption of
drugs. Which factors influence absorption? Select all that apply.
A. Total body weight
B. Body temperature
C. Route of administration
D. Solubility
E. Blood flow to the site of administration
Absorption is the passage of a drug from the administration site into the bloodstream.
Several factors affect absorption: route of administration, ability of the drug to dissolve
or become soluble, blood flow to the administration site, body surface area, and patient
age. Absorption of drugs depends on body surface area, not on body weight. Body
temperature does not affect the absorption of drugs.
,What should the nurse do if a patient's enteral feeding is still running when medication
administration is indicated? Select all that apply. A. Use 30 to 45 mL of water to flush
the tubing.
B. Keep the patient flat during administration.
C. Perform gastric suction after administration.
D. Count the water intake as output on the intake and output record.
E. Flush the tubing with water before and after feeding
The nurse flushes the tube with 30 to 45 mL of water before and after the feeding. The
nurse flushes the tube before and after administration of medications. Flushing before
administration clears the tube of feed. Flushing after medication administration clears
the tube of medication and prevents clogging. The nurse raises the head of the bed
during and after the feeding to prevent aspiration. To allow absorption time, gastric
suction should not be used for 20 to 30 minutes after administration. Note that water
intake associated with medication administration is counted as intake on the intake and
output record.
Which of the Six Rights of Medication Administration would prevent another nurse from
duplicating the administration of a medication?
1. Right time
2. Right dosage
3. Right patient
4. Right documentation
The nurse must follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration. Documentation helps
to prevent another nurse from erroneously giving the patient an extra dose. The right
time indicates giving the medication at the correct time as per the prescription. The right
dosage indicates administering the medication in the correct dosage, such as in
milligrams or milliliters. Checking the identity of the patient before administering
medication ensures that the right patient receives the medication.
A patient is admitted to the hospital for hernia surgery and is informed of his patient
rights. What rights does this patient have in regards to medication administration?
Select all that apply.
A. The right to receive unnecessary medications.
B. The right to know the name and purpose of medications.
C. The right to refuse a medication regardless of the consequences.
D. The right to receive unlabeled medications safely without discomfort.
E. The right to order the medication himself.
.
In accordance with the Patient Care Partnership and because of the potential risks
related to medication administration, a patient has the right to know the name, purpose,
, action, and potential undesired effects of a medication, and can refuse a medication.
The patient has the right not to receive unnecessary and unlabeled medications. The
patient does not have the right to administer the medication himself, unless ordered so.
In what forms can the nurse administer otic medications to a patient? Select all that
apply.
A. Extraocular disks
B. Eardrops
C. Injections
D. Irrigations
E. Ointments
Medications that are instilled into the ear are called otic medications. Two types of otic
medications are available: eardrops and irrigations. Eardrops are used to treat ear
infections and to soften cerumen (ear wax). Irrigations are used to remove foreign
bodies and clean the ear canal. Extraocular disks are used to treat eye infections.
Injections are parenteral medications, not otic medications. Ointments are not used in
the ear because they are difficult to clean and may cause problems with hearing;
ointments can be topical or ophthalmic.
The nurse is evaluating whether a patient is taking prescribed medications correctly.
Which patient practice indicates the need for additional instruction? Select all that apply.
A. "I always check my medication before I take it."
B. "I use multiple medication cups to prepare a single dose."
C. "I use a plastic spoon as a measuring device to take syrups."
D. "I use a scored tablet if the dose must be divided."
E. "I notice that a part of my medication is often left in the crusher.
Multiple devices, nonstandard measuring devices, and incomplete intake of prepared
dose may violate the right dose of medication administration rights. Using multiple
medication cups to prepare a single dose may result in leaving a part of the dose in the
cups and lead to underdosage. A plastic spoon is a nonstandard measuring device and
may cause changes in the prescribed doses. Leaving part of the crushed medication in
the device may also lead to administration of an incorrect dose. Always checking
medication before taking is an appropriate action that does not violate the six rights of
medication administration and does not need to be addressed. Breaking tablets that are
scored or grooved into pieces does not violate the rights of medication administration.
The nurse is evaluating a student nurse who is administering solid medications to a
patient through an enteral tube. Which behavior by the student nurse needs correction?
1. Allows the diluted medication to flow into the tube by gravity
2. Adds the medication directly to the feeding tube before initiating the feeding
3. Delays feeding for a designated time in case of interaction with the contents
2023 ACTUAL EXAM
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone knee replacement and will have
decreased mobility for a period of time. Which medications does the nurse expect the
primary health care provider to prescribe to prevent deep vein thrombosis (or blood
clots) in this patient? Select all that apply.
A. Heparin (Liquaemin)
B. Warfarin (Coumadin)
C. Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
D. Metoprolol (Lopressor)
E. Morphine sulfate (Roxanol)
Heparin (Liquaemin) is used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Warfarin
(Coumadin) is an anticoagulant drug that helps in preventing the formation of blood
clots in patients with decreased mobility. Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low molecular
weight heparin used to prevent blood clots. Other medications such as metoprolol
(Lopressor), and morphine sulfate (Roxanol) are not used to prevent deep vein
thrombosis. Morphine sulfate (Roxanol) is an opioid analgesic that decreases pain by
acting on the central nervous system. Metoprolol (Lopressor) is useful in relieving
hypertension.
A nurse who is responsible for dispensing medications understands that every patient
requires a different dosage for a given drug. Various factors affect the absorption of
drugs. Which factors influence absorption? Select all that apply.
A. Total body weight
B. Body temperature
C. Route of administration
D. Solubility
E. Blood flow to the site of administration
Absorption is the passage of a drug from the administration site into the bloodstream.
Several factors affect absorption: route of administration, ability of the drug to dissolve
or become soluble, blood flow to the administration site, body surface area, and patient
age. Absorption of drugs depends on body surface area, not on body weight. Body
temperature does not affect the absorption of drugs.
,What should the nurse do if a patient's enteral feeding is still running when medication
administration is indicated? Select all that apply. A. Use 30 to 45 mL of water to flush
the tubing.
B. Keep the patient flat during administration.
C. Perform gastric suction after administration.
D. Count the water intake as output on the intake and output record.
E. Flush the tubing with water before and after feeding
The nurse flushes the tube with 30 to 45 mL of water before and after the feeding. The
nurse flushes the tube before and after administration of medications. Flushing before
administration clears the tube of feed. Flushing after medication administration clears
the tube of medication and prevents clogging. The nurse raises the head of the bed
during and after the feeding to prevent aspiration. To allow absorption time, gastric
suction should not be used for 20 to 30 minutes after administration. Note that water
intake associated with medication administration is counted as intake on the intake and
output record.
Which of the Six Rights of Medication Administration would prevent another nurse from
duplicating the administration of a medication?
1. Right time
2. Right dosage
3. Right patient
4. Right documentation
The nurse must follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration. Documentation helps
to prevent another nurse from erroneously giving the patient an extra dose. The right
time indicates giving the medication at the correct time as per the prescription. The right
dosage indicates administering the medication in the correct dosage, such as in
milligrams or milliliters. Checking the identity of the patient before administering
medication ensures that the right patient receives the medication.
A patient is admitted to the hospital for hernia surgery and is informed of his patient
rights. What rights does this patient have in regards to medication administration?
Select all that apply.
A. The right to receive unnecessary medications.
B. The right to know the name and purpose of medications.
C. The right to refuse a medication regardless of the consequences.
D. The right to receive unlabeled medications safely without discomfort.
E. The right to order the medication himself.
.
In accordance with the Patient Care Partnership and because of the potential risks
related to medication administration, a patient has the right to know the name, purpose,
, action, and potential undesired effects of a medication, and can refuse a medication.
The patient has the right not to receive unnecessary and unlabeled medications. The
patient does not have the right to administer the medication himself, unless ordered so.
In what forms can the nurse administer otic medications to a patient? Select all that
apply.
A. Extraocular disks
B. Eardrops
C. Injections
D. Irrigations
E. Ointments
Medications that are instilled into the ear are called otic medications. Two types of otic
medications are available: eardrops and irrigations. Eardrops are used to treat ear
infections and to soften cerumen (ear wax). Irrigations are used to remove foreign
bodies and clean the ear canal. Extraocular disks are used to treat eye infections.
Injections are parenteral medications, not otic medications. Ointments are not used in
the ear because they are difficult to clean and may cause problems with hearing;
ointments can be topical or ophthalmic.
The nurse is evaluating whether a patient is taking prescribed medications correctly.
Which patient practice indicates the need for additional instruction? Select all that apply.
A. "I always check my medication before I take it."
B. "I use multiple medication cups to prepare a single dose."
C. "I use a plastic spoon as a measuring device to take syrups."
D. "I use a scored tablet if the dose must be divided."
E. "I notice that a part of my medication is often left in the crusher.
Multiple devices, nonstandard measuring devices, and incomplete intake of prepared
dose may violate the right dose of medication administration rights. Using multiple
medication cups to prepare a single dose may result in leaving a part of the dose in the
cups and lead to underdosage. A plastic spoon is a nonstandard measuring device and
may cause changes in the prescribed doses. Leaving part of the crushed medication in
the device may also lead to administration of an incorrect dose. Always checking
medication before taking is an appropriate action that does not violate the six rights of
medication administration and does not need to be addressed. Breaking tablets that are
scored or grooved into pieces does not violate the rights of medication administration.
The nurse is evaluating a student nurse who is administering solid medications to a
patient through an enteral tube. Which behavior by the student nurse needs correction?
1. Allows the diluted medication to flow into the tube by gravity
2. Adds the medication directly to the feeding tube before initiating the feeding
3. Delays feeding for a designated time in case of interaction with the contents
