Chapter 32: Oral Medications
Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts 12th Edition, Timby
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse administering a nasal medication via an atomizer bottle should:
a. leave the other nostril open while giving the medication.
b. have the patient squeeze the bottle while inhaling.
c. have the patient sit up straight.
d. have the patient tilt the head forward.
ANS: B
The proper procedure for using an atomizer bottle is to have the head hyperextended,
holding one nostril closed and squeezing the bottle and inhaling at the same time.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: m 657 OBJ: Clinical Practice #2
TOP: Medication Administration: Nasal Route KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity: pharmacological therapies
2. A nurse is providing instructions to a patient about how to use a metered-dose inhaler.
The nurse should instruct the patient to:
a. lie down while taking the medication.
b. gently roll the canister in the hands to mix the medication.
c. breathe out through the mouth before positioning the canister.
d. try to hold the breath for at least 3 seconds after inhaling the medication.
ANS: C
The patient should sit up or stand to take the medication, shake the canister to mix the
medication with the propellant, breathe out through the mouth before positioning the
canister, depress the cylinder, and hold the breath for at least 10 seconds before
exhaling.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: m 658 OBJ: Theory #4
TOP: Medication Administration: Inhalant Route KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity: pharmacological therapies
3. The nurse explains that the patient with a respiratory disorder can open small airways to
ease respiration effort with the use of:
a. albuterol (Proventil).
b. montelukast (Singulair).
c. ipratropium (Atrovent).
d. beclomethasone (Vanceril).
ANS: A
Albuterol eases respiratory effort by opening the small airways.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: m 659, Table 34-5
OBJ: Theory #4 TOP: Use of Inhalants KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity: pharmacological therapies
, 4. A patient of the Cambodian culture reports that a new medication is not adequate for
treatment because it is:
a. colored red.
b. a smaller size than the older medication.
c. offered before a meal.
d. is in liquid form.
ANS: B
Persons of Cambodian origin believe the size of the medication indicates its curative
value. A small pill does not have as much curative value as a larger one.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: m 650, Cultural
OBJ: Theory #1 TOP: Medication Administration: Cultural
Concerns KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC:
NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: pharmacological therapies
5. For easier insertion of a rectal suppository, the nurse should position the patient in
the__________ position.
a. knee-chest
b. prone
c. left Sims
d. dorsal lithotomy
ANS: C
Placing the patient in the left Sims position provides for easier insertion of the
suppository into the rectum.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: m 661, Steps 34-2
6. A patient complains about the taste of the sublingual nitroglycerin and admits that he
swallowsit rather than holding it under his tongue. The nurse explains that sublingual
medications:
a. should not be swallowed because it alters the absorption potential.
b. can be inserted rectally without loss of absorption potential.
c. can be held against the roof of the mouth with the tongue to reduce taste.
d. can be taken between the cheek and tongue to diminish taste.
ANS: A
Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue and they should not be swallowed
because that alters the absorption potential.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: m 651 OBJ: Theory #1
TOP: Medication Administration: Sublingual Route KEY:
Nursing Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX:
Physiological Integrity: pharmacological therapies
7. To reduce the systemic absorption of eye drops, the nurse should:
a. use finger pressure to close the eyelid tightly.
b. apply slight finger pressure over the lacrimal duct.
c. request the patient tilt the head slightly to the side of the unaffected eye.
d. instruct the patient to widen the eyes in order to increase access to the lacrimal
duct.
Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts 12th Edition, Timby
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse administering a nasal medication via an atomizer bottle should:
a. leave the other nostril open while giving the medication.
b. have the patient squeeze the bottle while inhaling.
c. have the patient sit up straight.
d. have the patient tilt the head forward.
ANS: B
The proper procedure for using an atomizer bottle is to have the head hyperextended,
holding one nostril closed and squeezing the bottle and inhaling at the same time.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: m 657 OBJ: Clinical Practice #2
TOP: Medication Administration: Nasal Route KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity: pharmacological therapies
2. A nurse is providing instructions to a patient about how to use a metered-dose inhaler.
The nurse should instruct the patient to:
a. lie down while taking the medication.
b. gently roll the canister in the hands to mix the medication.
c. breathe out through the mouth before positioning the canister.
d. try to hold the breath for at least 3 seconds after inhaling the medication.
ANS: C
The patient should sit up or stand to take the medication, shake the canister to mix the
medication with the propellant, breathe out through the mouth before positioning the
canister, depress the cylinder, and hold the breath for at least 10 seconds before
exhaling.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: m 658 OBJ: Theory #4
TOP: Medication Administration: Inhalant Route KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity: pharmacological therapies
3. The nurse explains that the patient with a respiratory disorder can open small airways to
ease respiration effort with the use of:
a. albuterol (Proventil).
b. montelukast (Singulair).
c. ipratropium (Atrovent).
d. beclomethasone (Vanceril).
ANS: A
Albuterol eases respiratory effort by opening the small airways.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: m 659, Table 34-5
OBJ: Theory #4 TOP: Use of Inhalants KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity: pharmacological therapies
, 4. A patient of the Cambodian culture reports that a new medication is not adequate for
treatment because it is:
a. colored red.
b. a smaller size than the older medication.
c. offered before a meal.
d. is in liquid form.
ANS: B
Persons of Cambodian origin believe the size of the medication indicates its curative
value. A small pill does not have as much curative value as a larger one.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: m 650, Cultural
OBJ: Theory #1 TOP: Medication Administration: Cultural
Concerns KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC:
NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: pharmacological therapies
5. For easier insertion of a rectal suppository, the nurse should position the patient in
the__________ position.
a. knee-chest
b. prone
c. left Sims
d. dorsal lithotomy
ANS: C
Placing the patient in the left Sims position provides for easier insertion of the
suppository into the rectum.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: m 661, Steps 34-2
6. A patient complains about the taste of the sublingual nitroglycerin and admits that he
swallowsit rather than holding it under his tongue. The nurse explains that sublingual
medications:
a. should not be swallowed because it alters the absorption potential.
b. can be inserted rectally without loss of absorption potential.
c. can be held against the roof of the mouth with the tongue to reduce taste.
d. can be taken between the cheek and tongue to diminish taste.
ANS: A
Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue and they should not be swallowed
because that alters the absorption potential.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: m 651 OBJ: Theory #1
TOP: Medication Administration: Sublingual Route KEY:
Nursing Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX:
Physiological Integrity: pharmacological therapies
7. To reduce the systemic absorption of eye drops, the nurse should:
a. use finger pressure to close the eyelid tightly.
b. apply slight finger pressure over the lacrimal duct.
c. request the patient tilt the head slightly to the side of the unaffected eye.
d. instruct the patient to widen the eyes in order to increase access to the lacrimal
duct.
