Chapter 17: Administering Medications

Chapter 17: Administering Medications

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

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?

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?

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?

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?

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