Nokea
A patient says he prefers to chew rather than swallow his pills. One of the pills has the abbreviation SR behind the name of the medication. The nurse needs to remember which correct instruction regarding how to give this medication?
- A. Break the tablet into halves or quarters.
- B. Dissolve the tablet in a small amount of water before giving it.
- C. Do not crush or break the tablet before administration.
- D. Crush the tablet as needed to ease administration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sustained-release (SR) tablets must not be crushed or broken to maintain their controlled-release properties and prevent rapid absorption or gastrointestinal irritation.
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A patient is to receive hydromorphone 1.5 mg IV push now. The medication comes in a prefilled syringe, 2 mg/mL. Identify how many milliliters the nurse will administer for this dose.
Correct Answer: 0.75 mL
Rationale: To calculate: 2 mg/1 mL = 1.5 mg/x mL. Cross-multiply: (2 * x) = (1 * 1.5); 2x = 1.5; x = 1.5/2 = 0.75 mL.
The nurse is measuring 4 mL of a liquid cough elixir for a child. Which method is most appropriate?
- A. Using a teaspoon to measure and administer
- B. Holding the medication cup at eye level and filling it to the desired level
- C. Withdrawing the elixir from the container using a syringe without a needle attached
- D. Withdrawing the elixir from the container using a calibrated oral syringe
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A calibrated oral syringe ensures accurate measurement of small liquid volumes, preventing dosing errors. Teaspoons and medication cups are less precise, and a syringe without a needle may risk aspiration or parenteral administration.
The nurse is about to give a rectal suppository to a patient. Which technique would facilitate the administration and absorption of the rectal suppository?
- A. Having the patient lie on the right side, unless contraindicated
- B. Having the patient hold his or her breath during insertion of the medication
- C. Lubricating the suppository with a small amount of petroleum-based lubricant before insertion
- D. Encouraging the patient to lie on the left side for 15 to 20 minutes after insertion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Positioning the patient on the left side and using a water-soluble lubricant facilitates insertion and absorption of a rectal suppository. The patient should remain on the left side for 15-20 minutes. Petroleum-based lubricants are not used, and breath-holding is not necessary.
When giving parenteral medications, the nurse will use Standard Precautions, which include what action?
- A. Bending the needle to prevent reuse
- B. Recapping needles to prevent needle sticks
- C. Discarding all syringes and needles in the trash can
- D. Discarding all syringes and needles in a puncture-resistant container
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Standard Precautions require discarding syringes and needles in a puncture-resistant container to prevent needle-stick injuries. Bending or recapping needles and using a trash can are unsafe.
A 2-year-old child is to receive ear drops. The nurse is teaching the parent about giving the ear drops. Which instruction is appropriate?
- A. Administer the drops without pulling on the ear lobe.
- B. Straighten the ear canal by pulling the lobe upward and back.
- C. Straighten the ear canal by pulling the pinna down and back.
- D. Straighten the ear canal by pulling the pinna upward and outward.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For children under 3 years, pulling the pinna down and back straightens the ear canal for proper ear drop administration. The other methods are incorrect for this age group.