LVN Medication Administration 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the rights of medication administration?
- Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation, and reason (Correct answer)
- Only the right drug
- Only the right patient and drug
- Only three rights exist
Correct answer: Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation, and reason
The rights serve as safety checks before every medication administration.
Question 2: What is the difference between enteral and parenteral drug administration?
- Enteral is through the GI tract; parenteral bypasses it (injection, IV) (Correct answer)
- They are the same
- Enteral means injection
- Parenteral means oral
Correct answer: Enteral is through the GI tract; parenteral bypasses it (injection, IV)
Enteral includes oral, sublingual, and rectal routes. Parenteral includes IV, IM, subcutaneous, and intradermal.
Question 3: What information should be documented after administering medication?
- Drug name, dose, route, time, patient response, and the nurse's initials (Correct answer)
- Only the drug name
- Only the time
- Documentation is optional
Correct answer: Drug name, dose, route, time, patient response, and the nurse's initials
Complete medication documentation provides a legal record and enables care continuity.
Question 4: What is a medication allergy vs. a side effect?
- An allergy involves an immune response; a side effect is a predictable pharmacological reaction (Correct answer)
- They are the same thing
- Allergies are milder
- Side effects are always serious
Correct answer: An allergy involves an immune response; a side effect is a predictable pharmacological reaction
Allergies involve the immune system (hives, anaphylaxis) while side effects are expected secondary pharmacological effects.
Question 5: What is a PRN medication?
- A medication given as needed based on patient symptoms rather than on a fixed schedule (Correct answer)
- A mandatory daily medication
- A medication given only at bedtime
- An over-the-counter supplement
Correct answer: A medication given as needed based on patient symptoms rather than on a fixed schedule
PRN medications require assessment of the patient's need and documentation of the indication and response.
Question 6: Why is medication reconciliation important?
- It prevents errors when patients transition between care settings by comparing medication lists (Correct answer)
- It is only for insurance purposes
- It is optional
- It only applies to new medications
Correct answer: It prevents errors when patients transition between care settings by comparing medication lists
Reconciliation at admission, transfer, and discharge catches discrepancies that could lead to adverse events.
What are the rights of medication administration?