Free Routes and Safe Medication Administration MCQs with Answers
50 Routes and Safe Medication Administration MCQs from Nursing Pharmacology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Safe medication administration covers oral, sublingual, buccal, topical, inhaled, enteral, intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular routes, including their absorption patterns and technique. It also includes medication rights, patient identification, documentation, allergy checks, injection site selection and prevention of errors, with route selection distinguished from dosage calculation.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. Ask the patient to state the room number
- B. Use two approved patient identifiers
- C. Confirm the patient’s bed number only
- D. Ask a relative to identify the patient
Explanation: Two identifiers, such as the patient’s name and medical record number, reduce wrong-patient errors.
Correct answer: Use two approved patient identifiers- A. Swallow it with a full glass of water
- B. Place it under the tongue until dissolved
- C. Chew it well before swallowing it
- D. Place it between the gum and cheek
Explanation: Sublingual medication is placed under the tongue for absorption through the oral mucosa and should not be swallowed immediately.
Correct answer: Place it under the tongue until dissolved3. A patient has an enteric-coated tablet prescribed through a feeding tube. What should the nurse do?
- A. Crush it and mix it with formula
- B. Dissolve it in a small amount of juice
- C. Hold the dose and contact the prescriber
- D. Give it with the feeding and flush later
Explanation: Enteric-coated tablets must not be crushed because the coating controls where the drug dissolves.
Correct answer: Hold the dose and contact the prescriber- A. Insert the needle bevel up at a shallow angle
- B. Insert the needle bevel down at a deep angle
- C. Insert the needle bevel up into the muscle
- D. Insert the needle bevel down under the skin
Explanation: An intradermal injection is placed just below the epidermis with the bevel up at a shallow angle, producing a small wheal.
Correct answer: Insert the needle bevel up at a shallow angle- A. The ventrogluteal muscle
- B. The inner forearm muscle
- C. The abdomen near the umbilicus
- D. The upper inner buttock area
Explanation: The ventrogluteal site has a large muscle mass and is away from major nerves and blood vessels, making it a safe adult IM site.
Correct answer: The ventrogluteal muscle- A. Inject into the deltoid muscle tissue
- B. Rotate suitable abdominal injection sites
- C. Massage the site firmly after injection
- D. Inject through clothing into the thigh
Explanation: Suitable abdominal areas can be used for subcutaneous insulin, with site rotation to reduce lipodystrophy and absorption problems.
Correct answer: Rotate suitable abdominal injection sites- A. Breathe in quickly after pressing the canister
- B. Exhale fully, then inhale slowly while pressing
- C. Swallow the medication after spraying it
- D. Spray twice rapidly without breathing between doses
Explanation: The patient should exhale, begin a slow deep inhalation, and press the canister during inhalation so the aerosol reaches the lower…
Correct answer: Exhale fully, then inhale slowly while pressing8. A nurse applies a prescribed topical medication to an intact skin lesion. Which action is safest?
- A. Apply it with clean gloves after checking the skin
- B. Apply it with bare hands to improve sensitivity
- C. Cover every treated area with a tight dressing
- D. Rub it vigorously until the skin becomes red
Explanation: Clean gloves protect the nurse and prevent contamination while the medication is applied to the assessed area.
Correct answer: Apply it with clean gloves after checking the skin- A. Administer the antibiotic and observe closely
- B. Record the allergy after giving the medication
- C. Withhold the medication and verify the prescription
- D. Give an antihistamine before administering it
Explanation: A reported severe allergy requires withholding the medication and promptly verifying the prescription with the prescriber or pharmacist.
Correct answer: Withhold the medication and verify the prescription- A. Place the tablet in the patient’s mouth
- B. Crush the tablet and give it with water
- C. Ask another nurse to administer the dose
- D. Hold the dose and clarify another route
Explanation: An unconscious patient without a swallowing reflex has a serious aspiration risk, so the oral route is unsafe.
Correct answer: Hold the dose and clarify another route- 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 use15. 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 policy17. 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 prescriberRoutes and Safe Medication Administration MCQs: common questions
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