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NCLEX PN Exam Bank Safe Medication
Administration and Dosage
Calculations
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Medication Rights and Legal Responsibilities in Safe Administration ............... 2
Subtopic 2: Dosage Calculations – Oral, IV, IM, and Pediatric Dosing ................................ 9
Subtopic 3: High-Alert Medications and Safety Precautions ........................................... 22
Subtopic 4: Medication Administration Routes – Technique, Safety, and Best Practices .... 30
Subtopic 5: Medication Errors – Prevention, Reporting, and Legal Implications ................ 38
Subtopic 6: Pediatric and Geriatric Dosage Considerations ............................................ 45
Subtopic 7: High-Alert Medications and Error Prevention Strategies ................................ 53
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Subtopic 1: Medication Rights and Legal Responsibilities
in Safe Administration
Question 1:
Which of the following is not one of the “Six Rights” of medication administration?
A. Right dose
B. Right documentation
C. Right cost
D. Right route
Correct answer: C. Right cost
Rationale: The Six Rights include the right patient, drug, dose, time, route, and
documentation. "Right cost" is not a standard right in medication administration.
Question 2:
A nurse is verifying a medication order and notices a discrepancy between the dose on the
label and the prescription. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the dose on the label
B. Contact the prescribing provider for clarification
C. Give the average of both doses
D. Ask another nurse to decide
Correct answer: B. Contact the prescribing provider for clarification
Rationale: The nurse must verify and clarify any discrepancies before administering
medication to ensure patient safety.
Question 3:
What is the first step a nurse should take when preparing to administer any medication?
A. Perform hand hygiene
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B. Verify the medication order
C. Identify the patient
D. Check the medication label
Correct answer: B. Verify the medication order
Rationale: Ensuring the order is correct is the first priority before proceeding with any
preparation or administration.
Question 4:
Which is the correct method to identify a patient before administering medication?
A. Asking the patient’s roommate
B. Checking the patient’s wristband and asking for their full name and birth date
C. Guessing based on the room assignment
D. Asking another nurse
Correct answer: B. Checking the patient’s wristband and asking for their full name and birth
date
Rationale: Two patient identifiers are always required to prevent errors.
Question 5:
The nurse is about to administer a PRN pain medication. What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Administering the medication quickly
B. Assessing the patient's current pain level and the last time the medication was given
C. Asking the family if the patient is in pain
D. Giving the medication with food
Correct answer: B. Assessing the patient's current pain level and the last time the
medication was given
Rationale: PRN medications must be given based on patient need and within the
appropriate time frame.
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Question 6:
Which action violates safe medication practice?
A. Giving a medication prepared by another nurse
B. Labeling medications immediately after drawing them up
C. Keeping medication wrappers until administration
D. Administering medications promptly
Correct answer: A. Giving a medication prepared by another nurse
Rationale: Only the person who prepares the medication should administer it to avoid
errors.
Question 7:
If a nurse makes a medication error, what is the correct initial step?
A. Try to correct it silently
B. Wait to see if the patient reacts
C. Notify the healthcare provider and follow facility protocol
D. Blame the pharmacy
Correct answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider and follow facility protocol
Rationale: Immediate reporting is essential to ensure patient safety and legal compliance.
Question 8:
Which of the following is the best example of proper medication documentation?
A. "Patient given pill."
B. "Administered 500 mg acetaminophen PO at 08:00 for headache; tolerated well."
C. "Patient felt okay."
D. "Medication given as usual."
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Safe Medication
Administration and Dosage
Calculations
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Medication Rights and Legal Responsibilities in Safe Administration ............... 2
Subtopic 2: Dosage Calculations – Oral, IV, IM, and Pediatric Dosing ................................ 9
Subtopic 3: High-Alert Medications and Safety Precautions ........................................... 22
Subtopic 4: Medication Administration Routes – Technique, Safety, and Best Practices .... 30
Subtopic 5: Medication Errors – Prevention, Reporting, and Legal Implications ................ 38
Subtopic 6: Pediatric and Geriatric Dosage Considerations ............................................ 45
Subtopic 7: High-Alert Medications and Error Prevention Strategies ................................ 53
, 2
Subtopic 1: Medication Rights and Legal Responsibilities
in Safe Administration
Question 1:
Which of the following is not one of the “Six Rights” of medication administration?
A. Right dose
B. Right documentation
C. Right cost
D. Right route
Correct answer: C. Right cost
Rationale: The Six Rights include the right patient, drug, dose, time, route, and
documentation. "Right cost" is not a standard right in medication administration.
Question 2:
A nurse is verifying a medication order and notices a discrepancy between the dose on the
label and the prescription. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the dose on the label
B. Contact the prescribing provider for clarification
C. Give the average of both doses
D. Ask another nurse to decide
Correct answer: B. Contact the prescribing provider for clarification
Rationale: The nurse must verify and clarify any discrepancies before administering
medication to ensure patient safety.
Question 3:
What is the first step a nurse should take when preparing to administer any medication?
A. Perform hand hygiene
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B. Verify the medication order
C. Identify the patient
D. Check the medication label
Correct answer: B. Verify the medication order
Rationale: Ensuring the order is correct is the first priority before proceeding with any
preparation or administration.
Question 4:
Which is the correct method to identify a patient before administering medication?
A. Asking the patient’s roommate
B. Checking the patient’s wristband and asking for their full name and birth date
C. Guessing based on the room assignment
D. Asking another nurse
Correct answer: B. Checking the patient’s wristband and asking for their full name and birth
date
Rationale: Two patient identifiers are always required to prevent errors.
Question 5:
The nurse is about to administer a PRN pain medication. What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Administering the medication quickly
B. Assessing the patient's current pain level and the last time the medication was given
C. Asking the family if the patient is in pain
D. Giving the medication with food
Correct answer: B. Assessing the patient's current pain level and the last time the
medication was given
Rationale: PRN medications must be given based on patient need and within the
appropriate time frame.
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Question 6:
Which action violates safe medication practice?
A. Giving a medication prepared by another nurse
B. Labeling medications immediately after drawing them up
C. Keeping medication wrappers until administration
D. Administering medications promptly
Correct answer: A. Giving a medication prepared by another nurse
Rationale: Only the person who prepares the medication should administer it to avoid
errors.
Question 7:
If a nurse makes a medication error, what is the correct initial step?
A. Try to correct it silently
B. Wait to see if the patient reacts
C. Notify the healthcare provider and follow facility protocol
D. Blame the pharmacy
Correct answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider and follow facility protocol
Rationale: Immediate reporting is essential to ensure patient safety and legal compliance.
Question 8:
Which of the following is the best example of proper medication documentation?
A. "Patient given pill."
B. "Administered 500 mg acetaminophen PO at 08:00 for headache; tolerated well."
C. "Patient felt okay."
D. "Medication given as usual."
