Chapter 22: Administration of Nonparenteral Medications

Chapter 22: Administration of Nonparenteral Medications

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The healthcare provider prescribes a sublingual medication, and the pharmacy sends an oral form. Which action should the nurse implement?

ANS:  B

The nurse can administer the sublingual medication in sublingual form only; changing the route of administration is practicing medicine and is outside the scope of practice for the nurse. The nurse cannot administer the oral medication, even if it is the identical drug, because it is the wrong route and violates a patient medication right. Withholding the medication until the provider is notified is risky and unnecessary because the nurse can ask the pharmacy to send the correct form of the medication. If the pharmacy does not carry the prescribed form, the nurse should contact the provider. Many medications come in several forms; thus determining an equivalent dose of a medication in another form is possible; however, the nurse needs a prescription for both forms of the medication to administer the oral form.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   Page 564

OBJ:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity      TOP:   Nursing Process: Planning

2. An alert and oriented patient is to receive oral medication. Which does the nurse implement to administer the prescribed medication?

ANS:  C

Patients can participate in medication administration by holding the medication in the cup or hand before placing it in the mouth. The nurse already knows that this patient is alert. If the provider allows the patient to self-medicate in the hospital, the nurse supervises the activity and ensures patient self-administration of the medications on time. The nurse never leaves medication on the breakfast tray for many reasons. He or she needs to verify that the patient has taken the medication so that correct documentation may occur. Holding the cup for the patient is unnecessary and potentially insulting to the patient.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehend          REF:   Page 562

OBJ:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity      TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation

3. The nurse approaches a group of patients, one of whom is to receive a dose of medication. Which is the best method for the nurse to identify the patient needing the medication?

ANS:  D

To identify the patient needing the medication, the nurse checks the patient identification bracelet and asks the patient to state his name. The nurse then compares the spelling of the name and the medical record number on the bracelet to the MAR. The nurse does not rely on other individuals to identify the patient for the medication administration to avoid the risk of misidentification. The use of at least two identifiers is the only approved method of identifying a correct patient.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehend          REF:   Page 561-562

OBJ:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity      TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation

4. The nurse needs to document a medication that has just been administered. Which technique should the nurse use to document medication administration?

ANS:  B

The nurse records his or her name and administration time immediately after medication administration to maintain an up-to-date, accurate patient medical record. Documentation is not done before administration because the activity has not yet happened. It is risky to document at the end of the shift because the chance of a documentation omission or error increases with the amount of time that passes. Correct documentation is one of the six rights of medication administration. Documentation of medication administration may never be delegated.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remember            REF:   Page 564

OBJ:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity      TOP:   Nursing Process: Planning

5. The nurse instructs the patient about applying a transdermal patch. Which should the nurse include in patient teaching?

ANS:  B

To prevent overdoses and tolerance to patches, the nurse instructs the patient to remove the old patch, cleanse the site, and apply the next patch to a different place. Sun exposure can promote medication degradation and increase the absorption rate. The nurse avoids instructing the patient to apply a warm compress to prevent rapid medication absorption that potentially can lead to overdose.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehend          REF:   Page 572

OBJ:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity      TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation