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 2 of 3
- 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- A. Mix the medication directly into the formula
- B. Pause the feed according to the medication instructions
- C. Add several medications together in one cup
- D. Flush the tube only after all medications are given
Explanation: Some medicines interact with enteral formula, so the feed may need to be paused according to specific instructions.
Correct answer: Pause the feed according to the medication instructions- A. Its gradual release over the prescribed time
- B. Its rapid absorption in the stomach
- C. Its immediate effect under the tongue
- D. Its direct entry into the bloodstream
Explanation: Sustained-release formulations are designed to release medication gradually over time.
Correct answer: Its gradual release over the prescribed time- A. Displace the skin laterally before inserting the needle
- B. Pinch the skin upward and inject into the dermis
- C. Insert the needle at a shallow angle into the epidermis
- D. Massage the site firmly immediately after injection
Explanation: The Z-track technique involves pulling the skin and subcutaneous tissue laterally before injection, then releasing it afterward.
Correct answer: Displace the skin laterally before inserting the needle- A. At 15 degrees to the skin
- B. At 30 degrees to the skin
- C. At 45 degrees to the skin
- D. At 90 degrees to the skin
Explanation: An intramuscular injection is generally given at 90 degrees so the medication reaches muscle tissue.
Correct answer: At 90 degrees to the skin- A. Give the dose with a small sip of water
- B. Change the medication to an injection independently
- C. Withhold the dose permanently without notification
- D. Consult the prescriber about a suitable alternative route
Explanation: The nurse should assess whether oral administration is safe and contact the prescriber about another route when necessary.
Correct answer: Consult the prescriber about a suitable alternative route- A. Compare the prescription with the medication label
- B. Compare the patient's age with the room number
- C. Compare the tablet colour with another patient's tablet
- D. Compare the administration time with the meal schedule
Explanation: The prescription or medication administration record states the ordered route, which must match the label and prepared form.
Correct answer: Compare the prescription with the medication label- A. The skin is free of scars, bruising, and inflammation
- B. The site is closest to the patient's dominant hand
- C. The area has the greatest amount of visible hair
- D. The skin is directly over a bony prominence
Explanation: Healthy subcutaneous tissue improves absorption and reduces injury, so bruised, scarred, inflamed, or damaged areas should be avoided.
Correct answer: The skin is free of scars, bruising, and inflammation- A. Exhale away from the device before inhaling the dose
- B. Shake the device vigorously before every inhalation
- C. Use a spacer chamber with every dry-powder dose
- D. Inhale slowly after spraying the medication into the mouth
Explanation: The patient should exhale away from the device, then inhale the powder quickly and deeply as instructed.
Correct answer: Exhale away from the device before inhaling the dose- A. Apply the medication with clean gloves when indicated
- B. Apply a thick layer to make absorption faster
- C. Cover the area tightly without a prescription
- D. Use bare hands despite the medication precautions
Explanation: Clean gloves help protect the patient and nurse from contamination and medication exposure.
Correct answer: Apply the medication with clean gloves when indicated- A. Choose the route commonly used for that medication
- B. Ask another patient which route was used previously
- C. Withhold administration and clarify the prescription
- D. Administer it by the route with the fastest absorption
Explanation: An unspecified route must be clarified before administration because route affects absorption, onset, and safety.
Correct answer: Withhold administration and clarify the prescription