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 3 of 3
- A. It is absorbed slowly for a prolonged effect
- B. It is destroyed by enzymes in the stomach
- C. It acts only on the outermost skin layer
- D. It cannot enter the bloodstream through skin
Explanation: Transdermal medicines pass gradually through the skin and provide sustained systemic absorption.
Correct answer: It is absorbed slowly for a prolonged effect- A. Shake the container thoroughly
- B. Leave the container undisturbed
- C. Add water to dilute the medicine
- D. Warm the container in hot water
Explanation: Suspensions contain particles that settle during storage, so the container should be shaken to distribute the medication evenly.
Correct answer: Shake the container thoroughly- A. Give it intramuscularly as labelled
- B. Give it subcutaneously at a smaller dose
- C. Hold the medication and clarify the discrepancy
- D. Ask the patient which route seems preferable
Explanation: A disagreement between the prescribed route and the product information creates a medication safety risk.
Correct answer: Hold the medication and clarify the discrepancy- A. Hide the medication in the patient's food
- B. Respect the refusal and assess the reason
- C. Ask another nurse to give the medication
- D. Leave the medication at the bedside
Explanation: A competent patient has the right to refuse treatment after receiving suitable information.
Correct answer: Respect the refusal and assess the reason45. A tablet falls onto the floor while the nurse is preparing an oral dose. What is the safest action?
- A. Wipe it and administer it promptly
- B. Return it to the medication container
- C. Discard it and obtain a replacement dose
- D. Rinse it with water before administration
Explanation: A tablet that contacts the floor is contaminated and must not be administered.
Correct answer: Discard it and obtain a replacement dose- A. The patient reports improved breathing
- B. The patient asks when the next dose is due
- C. The medication wrapper is placed in the bin
- D. The patient is offered a glass of water
Explanation: Improved breathing, reduced wheezing and better respiratory effort indicate the intended response to a bronchodilator.
Correct answer: The patient reports improved breathing- A. Inject into the indurated area
- B. Massage the area before injecting
- C. Select another suitable intact muscle site
- D. Apply heat and give the injection there
Explanation: Tender, indurated or inflamed tissue should not be used for an intramuscular injection because absorption may be altered and discomfort or…
Correct answer: Select another suitable intact muscle site- A. The package is intact and within its expiry date
- B. The package has the patient's favourite colour
- C. The medication is the largest available size
- D. The package was stored beside similar drugs
Explanation: The nurse should inspect the package for damage, contamination, altered appearance and expiry before opening it.
Correct answer: The package is intact and within its expiry date- A. 1 mL
- B. 1.5 mL
- C. 2.5 mL
- D. 3 mL
Explanation: The concentration is 500 mg divided by 2 mL, which equals 250 mg/mL. The required volume is 750 mg divided by 250 mg/mL, giving 3 mL; the…
Correct answer: 3 mL- A. Administer it because muscle absorption is always reliable
- B. Give it subcutaneously to improve absorption
- C. Hold the dose and clarify the prescribed route
- D. Massage the selected muscle to increase circulation
Explanation: Severe hypotension can reduce muscle perfusion, making intramuscular absorption slow or unpredictable.
Correct answer: Hold the dose and clarify the prescribed route