All Free Nursing Pharmacology MCQs with Answers
Every Nursing Pharmacology question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
450 questions · page 19 of 23
- A. The tablet is swallowed with a full glass of water
- B. The tablet dissolves between the cheek and gum
- C. The tablet is placed under the tongue until dissolved
- D. The tablet is crushed and mixed with enteral feed
Explanation: A buccal tablet is held between the cheek and gum, where the drug is absorbed through the oral mucosa.
Correct answer: The tablet dissolves between the cheek and gum- A. It must pass through the gastrointestinal tract and may undergo first-pass metabolism
- B. It is absorbed directly into the pulmonary circulation before reaching the liver
- C. It always remains inside the stomach until the full dose is absorbed
- D. It enters the bloodstream through the skin before reaching the liver
Explanation: Oral medication must dissolve and be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, and some drugs are metabolised in the liver before…
Correct answer: It must pass through the gastrointestinal tract and may undergo first-pass metabolism- A. Apply the new patch over the old patch to maintain drug levels
- B. Remove the old patch and inspect the skin before applying the new one
- C. Cut the patch in half if the patient reports mild nausea
- D. Place the patch over broken skin to improve absorption
Explanation: The old patch must be removed to prevent accidental overdose, and the skin should be checked for irritation.
Correct answer: Remove the old patch and inspect the skin before applying the new one- A. Rinse the mouth with water after each use
- B. Drink grapefruit juice immediately after each dose
- C. Lie flat for 30 minutes after inhalation
- D. Repeat the dose whenever the mouth feels dry
Explanation: Rinsing and spitting after an inhaled corticosteroid reduces medicine remaining in the mouth and lowers the risk of oral candidiasis.
Correct answer: Rinse the mouth with water after each use365. The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous heparin injection. Which action is appropriate?
- A. Massage the site firmly after injecting the medication
- B. Inject into the abdomen and avoid massaging the site afterward
- C. Inject into the deltoid muscle using a long needle
- D. Aspirate forcefully after inserting the needle
Explanation: Subcutaneous heparin is commonly administered into abdominal fatty tissue, away from the umbilicus, and the site should not be massaged…
Correct answer: Inject into the abdomen and avoid massaging the site afterward- A. Mix all prescribed medicines together in the feeding formula
- B. Flush the tube before and after each medication as directed by policy
- C. Give the medication while continuous feeding remains connected without assessment
- D. Crush every tablet, including modified-release preparations
Explanation: Flushing helps maintain tube patency and reduces drug interaction with residual feed.
Correct answer: Flush the tube before and after each medication as directed by policy367. Which finding after an intramuscular injection requires the nurse to assess the patient promptly?
- A. A small amount of tenderness at the injection site
- B. Mild temporary discomfort during needle insertion
- C. Numbness and shooting pain extending down the limb
- D. A small, dry puncture mark at the injection site
Explanation: Numbness and shooting pain may indicate nerve irritation or injury and require prompt assessment.
Correct answer: Numbness and shooting pain extending down the limb- A. Complete the medication record and wait for the next shift
- B. Assess the patient, then notify the prescriber and senior nurse promptly
- C. Remove the medication package from the medication room immediately
- D. Ask the patient not to mention the incident to other staff
Explanation: The nurse first assesses the patient for actual or possible harm and promptly reports the error so treatment and monitoring can begin.
Correct answer: Assess the patient, then notify the prescriber and senior nurse promptly- A. Record the medication as given, including the time and any required response
- B. Document it before administration so the record is already complete
- C. Record only the medication name because the dose is on the prescription
- D. Document that it was given even if the patient refused the dose
Explanation: The medication record should show what was administered and when, with relevant observations or response according to policy.
Correct answer: Record the medication as given, including the time and any required response- A. Crush the tablet and place it in the patient's mouth
- B. Ask the patient to swallow it with a larger amount of water
- C. Hold the medication and clarify a safe alternative route with the prescriber
- D. Administer it through a feeding tube without checking the formulation
Explanation: The nurse should withhold the dose temporarily and clarify a safe formulation or route because unsafe swallowing creates an aspiration…
Correct answer: Hold the medication and clarify a safe alternative route with the prescriber- A. Compare the medication label with the medication record before opening it
- B. Ask the patient whether the tablet looks familiar before giving it
- C. Place the medication beside the patient until the scheduled time
- D. Record the medication as given before checking the package label
Explanation: The label should be compared with the medication record when removing the drug, again while preparing it, and before returning it.
Correct answer: Compare the medication label with the medication record before opening it- A. A calibrated oral syringe marked in millilitres
- B. A household teaspoon filled to the rim
- C. A medicine cup estimated at the 15 mL line
- D. A tablespoon used after checking its usual size
Explanation: A calibrated oral syringe gives an accurate small-volume measurement and reduces errors caused by household spoons.
Correct answer: A calibrated oral syringe marked in millilitres- A. Vastus lateralis muscle of the anterolateral thigh
- B. Dorsogluteal muscle near the upper buttock
- C. Deltoid muscle near the shoulder
- D. Abdominal tissue below the umbilicus
Explanation: The vastus lateralis is well developed in infants and is away from major nerves and blood vessels.
Correct answer: Vastus lateralis muscle of the anterolateral thigh- A. Use the ventrogluteal site with correct anatomical landmarks
- B. Choose the lower inner quadrant of the buttock
- C. Insert the needle near the centre of the buttock
- D. Select the area closest to the sacral spine
Explanation: The ventrogluteal site is located using the greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, and iliac crest.
Correct answer: Use the ventrogluteal site with correct anatomical landmarks- A. Greater systemic absorption of the medication
- B. Complete prevention of medication absorption
- C. A predictable reduction in local medication effect
- D. A lower risk of skin irritation at the application site
Explanation: Occlusion can increase skin hydration and greatly increase absorption of some topical medicines.
Correct answer: Greater systemic absorption of the medication- A. The lungs provide a large, highly vascular absorption surface
- B. The inhaled drug always passes through the stomach first
- C. The lungs prevent the medication from entering the bloodstream
- D. The inhaled dose is always larger than the oral dose
Explanation: The alveoli provide a large surface area with an extensive blood supply, allowing rapid absorption.
Correct answer: The lungs provide a large, highly vascular absorption surface- A. Contact the prescriber or pharmacist for a suitable alternative form
- B. Crush the tablet and mix it with a small amount of water
- C. Split the tablet and administer both pieces separately
- D. Dissolve the tablet in warm water before giving it
Explanation: Sustained-release tablets must not usually be crushed or dissolved because this can release the dose too quickly and cause toxicity.
Correct answer: Contact the prescriber or pharmacist for a suitable alternative form- A. Hold the scheduled dose and clarify the timing with the prescriber or pharmacist
- B. Give the scheduled dose to maintain the original medication timetable
- C. Document the second dose as given and monitor the patient afterward
- D. Ask the patient whether another dose feels necessary at that time
Explanation: Giving another dose too soon may cause an overdose or excessive drug effect, so the nurse must first assess the record and clarify the…
Correct answer: Hold the scheduled dose and clarify the timing with the prescriber or pharmacist- A. Discard the contaminated equipment and prepare a new injection
- B. Wipe the needle with alcohol and use it immediately
- C. Cover the needle and use it for the same patient later
- D. Rinse the needle with sterile water before injecting
Explanation: A needle that touches a nonsterile surface is contaminated and must not be used.
Correct answer: Discard the contaminated equipment and prepare a new injection- A. Offer water and confirm the tablet is swallowed
- B. Leave the tablet at the bedside for later use
- C. Ask the patient to chew every tablet before swallowing
- D. Mix the tablet with food without checking its formulation
Explanation: Offering water and confirming swallowing helps ensure that the prescribed dose is actually taken.
Correct answer: Offer water and confirm the tablet is swallowed