The Medication Administration Process

Every question here, with the answer

1. A patient who has difficulty swallowing is prescribed a timed-release oral tablet. The patient asks the nurse to crush it in applesauce. What is the nurse’s best action?

   1. Hold the medication and document that the patient refused it.
   2. Crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce based on the patient’s prescribed diet.
   3. Give the tablet whole with a full glass of water and document administration.
   4. Contact the provider for a change in the route of administration.

   Answer: Contact the provider for a change in the route of administration.

   Timed-release medications should never be crushed because crushing affects the intended action of the medication. Since the patient has difficulty swallowing and the medication cannot be crushed, the nurse should contact the provider for a different route rather than giving it whole or documenting refusal.

2. The nurse is preparing to administer a liquid oral medication to a young child who is reluctant to take it. Which nursing actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.

   1. Have the child’s caregiver assist with administering the medication when helpful.
   2. Use an oral syringe or medication dropper to provide a precise measurement.
   3. Place the liquid medication at the back of the child’s throat to make swallowing faster.
   4. Be patient and try to address the child’s and caregiver’s fears.
   5. Squirt the medication between the child’s gum and cheek.

   Answer: Have the child’s caregiver assist with administering the medication when helpful., Use an oral syringe or medication dropper to provide a precise measurement., Be patient and try to address the child’s and caregiver’s fears., Squirt the medication between the child’s gum and cheek.

   The section emphasizes precise measurement, administration between the gum and cheek to reduce aspiration risk, caregiver assistance when helpful, and patience with fears. Placing medication at the back of the throat is unsafe because the section specifically directs administration between the gum and cheek to avoid aspiration.

3. After an intradermal injection for skin testing, the patient says the site itches and begins rubbing it. What should the nurse do?

   1. Instruct the patient to avoid scratching or rubbing the injection site.
   2. Massage the site to help disperse the medication.
   3. Tell the patient that itching means the test result is complete.
   4. Apply firm pressure until the itching stops.

   Answer: Instruct the patient to avoid scratching or rubbing the injection site.

   The nurse should teach the patient not to scratch or rub the intradermal injection site because irritation can interfere with accurate interpretation of skin test results. Massaging, firm pressure, or interpreting the itching as a completed result is not supported by the section.

4. The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous medication. Which actions are consistent with the procedure described in the section? Select all that apply.

   1. Aspirate the syringe to check for blood return before injecting.
   2. Pinch the skin at the selected injection site to create a skinfold.
   3. Assess factors such as the thickness of subcutaneous tissue, the volume of medication, and the type of medication.
   4. Dispose of the used needle and syringe in a puncture-proof container and document the site and patient response.
   5. Insert the needle into muscle tissue at a 90-degree angle.

   Answer: Pinch the skin at the selected injection site to create a skinfold., Assess factors such as the thickness of subcutaneous tissue, the volume of medication, and the type of medication., Dispose of the used needle and syringe in a puncture-proof container and document the site and patient response.

   For subcutaneous administration, the nurse assesses suitability, pinches the skin to create a skinfold, disposes of the needle safely, and documents the administration and patient response. Inserting into muscle tissue describes IM administration, and aspiration for blood return is described in the IM procedure, not the SQ procedure in this section.

5. A nurse has inserted an IV catheter and is preparing to administer an IV medication. Which action should the nurse take to ensure the line is open and correctly placed before giving the medication?

   1. Pinch the skin at the selected site to create a skinfold.
   2. Flush the catheter with a saline solution.
   3. Apply gentle pressure to the inner corner of the eye.
   4. Ask the patient to remain side-lying for two to three minutes.

   Answer: Flush the catheter with a saline solution.

   For IV medication administration, flushing the catheter with saline ensures patency and confirms proper placement. The other actions apply to ear, eye, or subcutaneous medication administration and do not assess an IV line.

6. A patient is prescribed both ophthalmic eye drops and eye ointment. Which nursing actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.

   1. Verify the patient’s identity and confirm the correct medication, dosage, and eye before administration.
   2. Instill eye drops into the conjunctival sac.
   3. Apply a thin ribbon of ointment along the inside of the lower eyelid from the inner to the outer corner.
   4. Avoid touching the bottle tip or touching the bottle to the eye or eyelid.
   5. Apply the eye ointment before the eye drops to improve absorption of the drops.

   Answer: Verify the patient’s identity and confirm the correct medication, dosage, and eye before administration., Instill eye drops into the conjunctival sac., Apply a thin ribbon of ointment along the inside of the lower eyelid from the inner to the outer corner., Avoid touching the bottle tip or touching the bottle to the eye or eyelid.

   The nurse should verify the patient and correct eye, place drops in the conjunctival sac, avoid contaminating the bottle tip, and apply ointment along the inside of the lower eyelid. Eye drops should be given before ointment because ointment may affect absorption of the drops.