LVN Medication Administration 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient receiving IV heparin develops sudden hematuria and petechiae. The LVN should first:
- Increase the infusion rate
- Document findings and continue the infusion
- Stop the infusion and notify the charge nurse or provider immediately (Correct answer)
- Administer vitamin K
Correct answer: Stop the infusion and notify the charge nurse or provider immediately
Signs of bleeding are serious adverse effects of heparin; the infusion must be stopped and the provider notified immediately.
Question 2: The LVN must administer an enteric-coated aspirin. Which instruction to the patient is correct?
- Crush the tablet and mix with applesauce
- Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water (Correct answer)
- Dissolve the tablet under the tongue
Correct answer: Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water
Enteric-coated tablets must be swallowed whole to protect the stomach lining and ensure proper drug release.
Question 3: Which medication route provides the fastest absorption into the bloodstream?
- Oral (PO)
- Intravenous (IV) (Correct answer)
- Subcutaneous (SQ)
- Intramuscular (IM)
Correct answer: Intravenous (IV)
IV administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream, achieving the fastest and most complete absorption.
Question 4: A patient is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual for angina. The nurse instructs the patient to:
- Swallow the tablet immediately with water
- Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve (Correct answer)
- Chew the tablet and then swallow
- Apply the tablet to the inner wrist
Correct answer: Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve
Sublingual nitroglycerin is absorbed rapidly through the mucous membranes under the tongue for quick onset.
Question 5: When administering a transdermal patch, the LVN should:
- Apply the new patch to the same site as the old one to maintain consistency
- Remove the old patch, clean the skin, and rotate sites with each new patch (Correct answer)
- Cut the patch in half if the dose seems too high
- Apply the patch over clothing to prevent skin irritation
Correct answer: Remove the old patch, clean the skin, and rotate sites with each new patch
Removing the old patch, cleaning residual medication, and rotating sites prevents skin irritation and ensures consistent drug delivery.
Question 6: Which assessment is the priority BEFORE administering digoxin to a patient?
- Blood pressure
- Respiratory rate
- Apical pulse for one full minute (Correct answer)
- Temperature
Correct answer: Apical pulse for one full minute
Digoxin is held and the provider notified if the apical pulse is below 60 bpm, making it the priority pre-administration assessment.
Question 7: A patient is ordered 'NPO after midnight' for surgery but has a morning cardiac medication. The LVN should:
- Withhold all medications until after surgery
- Administer the cardiac medication with a sip of water after clarifying with the surgeon (Correct answer)
- Crush and give the medication rectally
- Skip the dose permanently
Correct answer: Administer the cardiac medication with a sip of water after clarifying with the surgeon
Most cardiac medications are critical to continue perioperatively; the nurse clarifies the NPO order with the surgeon and administers with a minimal sip of water if approved.
LVN Medication Administration 3
A patient receiving IV heparin develops sudden hematuria and petechiae.
The LVN should first: