Chapter 26. Administering Medications

Chapter 26. Administering Medications

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse administered the narcotic Demerol, 50 mg PO at 1400 to a patient with pain rated as 9 on a 0 to 10 scale. At 1430, the patient stated that the medication was not working and requested to have morphine IV, which the provider had prescribed for severe pain. What is the nurse’s best evaluation of this situation?

ANS:  B

Administering Demerol PO was not the best nursing intervention in this situation because the patient was in severe pain (9/10). The patient needed immediate pain relief, which would not occur with PO pain medication. The nurse should have been administered morphine IV. Waiting 2 hours to notify the physician does not provide patient comfort. The nurse should focus on pain relief and not worry about the patient becoming “addicted” to the morphine.

Difficulty: Difficult

Client Need: Safe and Effective Care

Cognitive Level: Application

PTS:   1

2. An insulin-dependent diabetic patient tells the nurse that she has been giving herself injections in the same location in her right thigh for the past several months because it is easier. What is the nurse’s best action?

ANS:  A

Administering medications in the same site over prolonged periods of time can cause fat deposits and skin lumps, which will interfere with absorption and thus hinder the effectiveness of the medication. Insulin is administered subcutaneously, not intramuscularly. The patient should be taught to rotate injection sites.

Difficulty: Moderate

Nursing Process: Interventions

Client Need: Safe and Effective Care

Cognitive Level: Application

PTS:   1

3. A surgeon prescribes heparin 2,500 mEq IM q 12 hr. What is the nurse’s best action?

ANS:  D

The nurse should contact the surgeon to clarify the dosage and route of administration. Heparin is measured in units and administered either subcutaneously or intravenously. The nurse should contact the provider who prescribed the medications.

Difficulty: Moderate

Nursing Process: Interventions

Client Need: Safe and Effective Care

Cognitive Level: Application

PTS:   1

4. A patient is having pain and has requested a dose of analgesic medication. The medication administration record indicates that he prescribed the narcotics hydromorphone (Dilaudid) intramuscularly and morphine sulfate intravenously. Where should the nurse first assess to determine which medication to administer?

ANS:  C

The nurse should check the patient’s pain level. If the pain is severe, the nurse should administer IV morphine to provide the patient immediate relief. The dorsogluteal site for IM injections should be avoided.

Difficulty: Moderate

Nursing Process: Interventions

Client Need: Safe and Effective Care

Cognitive Level: Application

PTS:   1