LVN Medication Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An LVN is preparing to administer 500 mg of amoxicillin. The available suspension is 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should be administered?
- 5 mL
- 10 mL (Correct answer)
- 2.5 mL
- 15 mL
Correct answer: 10 mL
500 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 10 mL is the correct dose.
Question 2: Which of the 'rights' of medication administration refers to ensuring the patient swallows an oral pill rather than stores it?
- Right dose
- Right route
- Right technique (Correct answer)
- Right response
Correct answer: Right technique
Right technique includes ensuring the patient actually ingests the medication and does not 'cheek' or hoard it.
Question 3: A patient is prescribed metoprolol 50 mg PO BID. How many doses will the nurse administer in 24 hours?
- 1
- 3
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 4
Correct answer: 2
BID means twice daily, so the nurse administers 2 doses in 24 hours.
Question 4: The LVN is preparing an IM injection for a deltoid site. What is the maximum volume appropriate for this site in an average adult?
- 5 mL
- 1 mL
- 3 mL
- 2 mL (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 2 mL
The deltoid muscle can safely hold a maximum of 2 mL in an average adult.
Question 5: When a medication order reads 'morphine 2–4 mg IV PRN pain q4h,' what does PRN mean?
- Administer every 4 hours regardless of pain level
- Administer as needed when the patient reports pain (Correct answer)
- Administer only at night
- Administer before meals
Correct answer: Administer as needed when the patient reports pain
PRN (pro re nata) means 'as needed,' so the nurse administers the drug when the patient requires it.
Question 6: The nurse is converting a medication order from mg to mcg. How many micrograms are in 0.25 mg?
- 2.5 mcg
- 25 mcg
- 250 mcg (Correct answer)
- 2500 mcg
Correct answer: 250 mcg
1 mg = 1,000 mcg, so 0.25 mg × 1,000 = 250 mcg.
Question 7: Which action best verifies the correct patient identity before administering a medication?
- Ask the patient to state their room number
- Check the name on the door
- Scan the patient's armband barcode and ask the patient to state name and date of birth (Correct answer)
- Ask the charge nurse to confirm identity
Correct answer: Scan the patient's armband barcode and ask the patient to state name and date of birth
Using at least two patient identifiers (name and date of birth) plus barcode scanning is the standard for safe medication administration.
LVN Medication Administration 2
An LVN is preparing to administer 500 mg of amoxicillin.
The available suspension is 250 mg/5 mL.
How many mL should be administered?