Medication Administration Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A high-alert medication is due, and organizational policy requires an independent double-check. What should happen?
The check may be completed after administration if the medication is time-sensitive
The administrator should calculate the dose twice without showing the work to anyone
A second person should confirm only that the medication name sounds correct
A second qualified person should independently verify the required elements before administration according to policy
2. An order specifies an oral medication, but the supplied product is labeled for injection. What should the administrator do?
Withhold the product and clarify the route and formulation with the pharmacy or prescriber
Use the injectable product orally if the dose strength is equivalent
Administer the product by injection because the manufacturer's label is more specific
Ask the patient which route was used previously and follow that preference
3. Before giving a scheduled medication, which verification process best supports correct patient and medication identification?
Confirm the patient's room number, compare the package with the administration record, and ask whether the medication looks familiar
Use two approved patient identifiers, compare the medication with the current order and administration record, and check documented allergies
Ask another staff member to recognize the patient, then verify the medication name on the package
Use one approved identifier if the patient verbally confirms that the medication is expected
4. Which notation is clearest and safest when documenting an insulin dose of six units?
Write the number 6 followed by the full word “units,” without a trailing zero
Add a decimal and trailing zero to show precision when recording the dose
Record the amount as a decimal fraction without placing a zero before the decimal point
Shorten the unit of measure to the single letter U after the number
5. When should a medication generally be documented as administered?
When it is removed from storage
After it has actually been administered, recorded promptly according to policy
As soon as it is prepared, even if the patient has not received it
At the start of the medication round for all patients
6. A small oral liquid dose must be measured accurately. Which technique is most appropriate?
Use a suitably sized calibrated oral syringe and read the measurement at eye level
Use a household teaspoon if it holds approximately the ordered amount
Pour the liquid into a medication cup and estimate between widely spaced markings
Fill a large oral syringe and judge the dose by comparing it with the full barrel
7. What is the main purpose of medication reconciliation during transitions such as admission, transfer, or discharge?
To compare medication information across sources, identify discrepancies, and clarify the intended regimen
To determine which medication costs should be billed to each care setting
To create a list containing only medications administered during the current visit
To replace all previous prescriptions with medications preferred by the new facility
8. An enteric-coated tablet is prescribed for oral administration. Which action is generally appropriate?
Crush it and mix it with soft food to reduce stomach irritation
Dissolve it in water so the dose is absorbed more predictably
Administer it intact unless a pharmacist or authorized instruction confirms an alternative
Split it along any visible line so it is easier to swallow
9. During a record review, an administrator discovers that an earlier scheduled dose was apparently omitted. What is the best general response?
Give the missed dose immediately and keep the next dose on schedule
Wait until the next scheduled dose and make no entry because the omission occurred earlier
Enter the earlier dose as administered to prevent a gap in the record
Assess the situation, verify what occurred, notify the appropriate clinician, and document and report according to policy
10. Before withdrawing medication from a vial with a needle and syringe, how should an intact rubber stopper generally be prepared?
Remove the rubber stopper and clean the open neck of the vial
Disinfect the stopper with the approved antiseptic and allow it to dry according to procedure
Rinse the stopper with sterile water and puncture it while wet
Touch the stopper with sterile gauze to confirm that it is clean
11. A barcode system displays a mismatch alert even though the medication package appears correct. What should the administrator do next?
Give the medication if its name and strength appear to match the order
Dismiss the alert and document that the barcode scanner malfunctioned
Stop and investigate the alert by rechecking the patient, medication, order, and system record before proceeding
Scan a second package of the same medication and use it if no alert appears
12. A capable patient refuses a scheduled medication after hearing what it is for. What is the most appropriate response?
Leave the medication at the bedside in case the patient changes their mind
Ask a family member to persuade the patient before recording a refusal
Explore the patient's concern, provide appropriate information, respect the refusal, and document and report it according to policy
Record the dose as administered because it was prepared and offered
13. While preparing a medication, the administrator notices that it expired yesterday. What is the appropriate action?
Use it if the packaging is intact and the medication looks normal
Use it only for the current dose, then remove the remaining supply
Ask the patient to accept it because the expiration was recent
Do not administer it; segregate or dispose of it according to policy and obtain an in-date supply
14. A patient receives an as-needed pain medication. Which follow-up best evaluates the medication's effect?
Document that the medication was effective unless the patient independently reports otherwise
Wait until the next routine vital-sign check regardless of the medication or route
Ask only whether the patient wants another dose when it becomes available
Reassess pain, function, and relevant adverse effects within an appropriate time for the route and medication
15. An administrator is interrupted midway through preparing several medications. What is the safest way to resume?
Continue from memory to avoid delaying scheduled doses
Secure the medications, return attention to the task, and re-verify the relevant checks before continuing
Finish preparing every medication, then compare them with the record once at the end
Ask the person who interrupted whether the preparation looked complete
16. Shortly after receiving a medication, a patient develops difficulty breathing and swelling of the lips. What is the priority response?
Document the symptoms and reassess after the medication reaches its expected peak effect
Offer water and ask the patient to rest while the prescriber is contacted routinely
Stop the administration if still in progress and activate urgent or emergency clinical help immediately
Give the next scheduled medication first so the treatment plan is not interrupted