Deck 21: Administration of Nonparenteral Medications

Question 1

The nurse is applying a new nitroglycerin transdermal patch.Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A)Instructing the patient to wear the patch 24 hours a day every day
B)Applying the new patch to the same site as the previous patch
C)Cutting the patch in half when a change of dose is ordered
D)Instructing the patient to avoid heat sources over the patch

Answer 1

Instructing the patient to avoid heat sources over the patch

Question 2

The nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a jejunostomy tube to a patient who is receiving continuous tube feedings.The medication needs to be given on an empty stomach and comes only in tablet form.What action should the nurse take first?

A)Add the medications directly to the tube feeding.
B)Flush the tubing before the medication is given.
C)Stop the feeding 30 minutes before medication administration.
D)Dissolve the medication in cold water.

Answer 2

Stop the feeding 30 minutes before medication administration.

Question 3

The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a topical medication.Which statement indicates an understanding of the procedure?

A)"If the patch starts to come off,I can secure it with tape."
B)"If the patch falls off,I will put a new one on in the same place."
C)"If my skin is irritated,I will cleanse it using water only."
D)"I can dispose of used materials in the household trash as usual."

Answer 3

"If my skin is irritated,I will cleanse it using water only."

Question 4

The patient is to receive three different medications via a nasogastric tube.What is the total amount of water the nurse should prepare to administer?

A)30 mL of water
B)60 mL of water
C)90 mL of water
D)250 mL of water

Question 5

The patient is prescribed an ophthalmic medication via an intraocular disc.Which action by the nurse is appropriate when administering the medication?

A)Place the disc in the conjunctival sac.
B)Apply sterile gloves before placing the disc.
C)Pull on the patient's upper eyelid and ask the patient to look up.
D)Instruct the patient that the disc will be changed daily.

Question 6

The nurse is preparing to administer a medication.Which of the following is the most critical to assess before medication administration?

A)Diet history
B)Allergy history
C)Surgical history
D)Drug tolerance

Question 7

The nurse is preparing to administer aspirin to a patient via an enteral feeding tube.Which form is appropriate for the nurse to administer?

A)Crushed chewable aspirin
B)Liquid aspirin
C)Enteric-coated aspirin
D)Sustained-release aspirin capsule

Question 8

When preparing to administer medication via a nasogastric tube,the nurse aspirates 275 mL of gastric residual.What is the first action the nurse should take?

A)Wait 1 hour and recheck the residual.
B)Administer the medication with more fluid.
C)Return the aspirate and withhold the medication.
D)Attach the nasogastric tube to suction to remove additional volume.

Question 9

The nurse is to administer several medications to a patient via a nasogastric (NG)tube.What should the nurse do first?

A)Add the medications to the tube feeding being given.
B)Crush all tablets and capsules before administration.
C)Administer all of the medications mixed together.
D)Check for placement of the NG tube.

Question 10

The nurse is preparing oral medications for administration.Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A)Using a cutting device to cut scored tablets
B)Unwrapping all of the medications to be given and placing them together in a cup
C)Crushing capsules and enteric-coated medication for easier swallowing
D)Holding the medication cup at eye level to pour a liquid dosage

Question 11

The nurse is administering a buccal medication.Which instruction should be given to the patient?

A)Hold the medication under the tongue.
B)Swallow the medication after 30 seconds.
C)Chew the medication before swallowing.
D)Hold the medication against the cheek membranes.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for four patients who require medications at 0900.Which action by the nurse adheres to the six rights of medication administration?

A)Prepare medications for all of the patients at once and keep the cups separate.
B)Ask the supervisor to clarify an unclear medication order.
C)Give the prescribed anticonvulsant between 0830 and 0930.
D)Leave each patient's medications at the bedside and return within 30 minutes to make sure they have been taken.

Question 13

A patient is experiencing a systemic effect from eyedrops.Which assessment finding by the nurse is indicative of this?

A)Headache
B)Reddened eyes
C)Darkened conjunctiva
D)Elevated pulse and blood pressure

Question 14

The nurse is preparing a medication for a small child.The medication comes in pill or liquid form,but the liquid preparation has a bitter taste.Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A)Give the pill form.
B)Mix the liquid with honey.
C)Mix the liquid in milk.
D)Mix the liquid in applesauce.

Question 15

The nurse is preparing to administer an eye ointment to the patient.Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A)Clean away drainage or crusts by wiping from the outer to the inner canthus.
B)Instruct the patient to keep the eye open for 2 minutes after instillation.
C)Apply a thin ribbon evenly along the inner edge of the lower eyelid.
D)Instruct the patient to avoid wiping the eye after instillation.

Question 16

The nurse is preparing to give sublingual nitroglycerin to a patient complaining of chest pain.The nurse instructs the patient not to swallow the medication.Why is this instruction important?

A)The effects of the medication will be nullified if swallowed.
B)Sublingual drugs begin to dissolve when placed on the tongue.
C)The medication needs to be held against the cheek membranes until dissolved.
D)The patient may aspirate on the water used for these medications.

Question 17

What should the nurse do to assist a patient who is having difficulty swallowing tablets?

A)Administer the medication with less fluid.
B)Insert a nasogastric tube and instill the medication.
C)Crush the medications and administer with a small amount of food.
D)Administer the tablets one at a time with plenty of water.

Question 18

The patient has eyedrops ordered daily to both eyes.Which action by the nurse is appropriate when administering the medication?

A)Carefully place the drop on the cornea.
B)Wipe the eye with a tissue after placing the eyedrop.
C)Hold the eyedropper about 1 to 2 cm above the eye.
D)Instruct the patient to squeeze the eye shut after instillation.

Question 19

The patient is unable to sit upright for medication administration.The nurse should assist the patient to which position to decrease the risk for aspiration?

A)Prone
B)Supine
C)Side-lying
D)Dorsal recumbent

Question 20

The nurse is preparing to administer a pediatric dose of liquid medication to an infant.Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A)Empty the unit-dose container into a plastic cup.
B)Gently shake the multi-dose bottle before pouring the medication.
C)Draw the medication into a syringe with a needle.
D)Use an oral syringe to measure liquid dosages greater than 25 mL.

Question 21

Handheld devices that deliver inhaled medication in a fine powder to penetrate lung airways are known as ___________.

Question 22

The nurse is preparing to administer a rectal suppository to an adult patient.Which action should be taken by the nurse?

A)Apply sterile gloves before handling the suppository.
B)Apply extra lubricant to the suppository if there is active rectal bleeding.
C)Insert the suppository past the internal sphincter,against the rectal wall,about 6 to 10 inches.
D)Instruct the patient to remain lying flat or on the side for 5 minutes after insertion of the suppository.

Question 23

The patient is receiving vaginal suppositories for a vaginal infection.Which assessment finding by the nurse indicates a desired outcome of the treatment?

A)The patient reports pruritus and burning.
B)The vaginal walls are bright red in color.
C)White curdlike patches appear on the vaginal walls.
D)Vaginal discharge the same color of the medication is noted.

Question 24

The nurse is administering a beta-adrenergic medication via a small-volume nebulizer.Which assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication immediately?

A)Episodes of coughing
B)Rapid and shallow respirations
C)Wheezing noted on auscultation of the lungs
D)Irregular pulse with light-headedness

Question 25

A nurse is preparing to administer eardrops to an adult patient.Which action should be taken by the nurse?

A)Warm the medication to room temperature using warm water.
B)Pull the pinna down and back to straighten the ear canal.
C)Apply gentle pressure or massage to the pinna of the ear.
D)Remove cerumen from the inner ear canal with a cotton-tipped applicator.

Question 26

The nurse administers eardrops in the patient's left ear.Which of the following positions is appropriate after instillation of the drops?

A)Prone
B)Upright
C)Right lateral
D)Dorsal recumbent with hyperextension of the neck

Question 27

The nurse is teaching a patient with asthma about using a metered-dose inhaler to administer albuterol.Which statements should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply. )

A)This medication can produce systemic effects such as tachycardia and tremors.
B)After inhaling the medication,hold your breath for about 10 seconds.
C)After inhaling the medication and holding your breath,exhale slowly through an open mouth.
D)After the last dose,do not rinse your mouth or drink any water for at least 1 hour.

Question 28

The nurse is preparing several topical medications for a patient.The nurse identifies which of the following as ways to administer a topical medication? (Select all that apply. )

A)Administering through an enteral tube placed in the jejunum
B)Inhaling an aerosol spray into the lungs
C)Spraying a mist into the nose
D)Dissolving a medication under the tongue

Question 29

Handheld devices that disperse medications through an aerosol spray or mist to penetrate lung airways are known as ___________.

Question 30

Several patients have been prescribed inhalation medications.The nurse is aware that a spacer will be beneficial for which patient?

A)A young child using a dry powder inhaler
B)An elderly patient who uses a metered-dose inhaler
C)A teenager who has just started using a nebulizer
D)A young child who needs medication several times per day

Question 31

The nurse is teaching a mother how to administer nasal drops to her infant.What should be included in the teaching plan?

A)Over-the-counter nasal drops can be saved and used later.
B)Nasal decongestants are safe and have no serious side effects.
C)Infants should receive nose drops 20 to 30 minutes before feedings.
D)Infants are mouth breathers,so nasal medications are well tolerated.

Question 32

How should the nurse position the patient to administer nose drops to the maxillary sinus?

A)Sitting upright with the head tilted backward toward the side to be treated
B)Supine with a small pillow under the shoulders and the head tilted backward
C)Supine with the head tilted backward and turned to the unaffected side
D)Head tilted back over the edge of the bed and turned toward the side to be treated

Question 33

The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a metered-dose inhaler without a spacer.Which action by the patient demonstrates correct use of the device?

A)Being careful not to shake the canister
B)Positioning the mouthpiece in front of the mouth while not touching the lips
C)Depressing the canister fully,waiting 3 to 5 seconds,then inhaling slowly and deeply
D)Taking another puff of the medication within 10 seconds

Question 34

Medications in the form of drops or ointments will have the word ________________ on the container to identify them as eye medications.

Question 35

The nurse receives orders on several patients for oral medications.The nurse will question the order on patients with which conditions? (Select all that apply. )

A)History of asthma and difficulty breathing
B)Inability to swallow food
C)Decreased level of consciousness
D)Use of gastric suction

Question 36

The nurse is preparing to administer a rectal suppository to a patient.The patient should be assisted to which position for insertion of the rectal suppository?

A)Prone
B)Supine
C)Dorsal recumbent
D)Left Sims' position

Question 37

The easiest and most desirable way to administer medications is via the _________ route.

Question 38

The patient has a bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid scheduled for the same time.What teaching should the nurse provide to the patient about administering these medications?

A)Inhale the bronchodilator,wait 20 to 30 seconds,then inhale the steroid.
B)Inhale the bronchodilator,wait 2 to 5 minutes,then inhale the steroid.
C)Inhale the steroid,wait 20 to 30 seconds,then inhale the bronchodilator.
D)Inhale the steroid,wait 2 to 5 minutes,then inhale the bronchodilator.

Question 39

The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a patient with an enteral tube.The nurse can safely give the medications through which types of enteral tube? (Select all that apply. )

A)Nasogastric feeding tube
B)Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube
C)Jejunostomy tube
D)Nasogastric decompression tube