NMBI Medication Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When administering insulin, what should a nurse check before the injection?
- Blood glucose level, correct insulin type, dose, expiry date, and correct technique (Correct answer)
- Only the blood glucose level
- Only the insulin type and dose
- The patient's weight only
Correct answer: Blood glucose level, correct insulin type, dose, expiry date, and correct technique
Insulin administration requires multiple checks: blood glucose (to confirm need), correct insulin type (different insulins have very different actions), dose, expiry, and aseptic injection technique.
Question 2: A patient is prescribed 0.5g of a drug. The available tablets are 250mg each. How many tablets should be given?
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 1
- 3
- 4
Correct answer: 2
0.5g = 500mg. Each tablet = 250mg. 500 ÷ 250 = 2 tablets.
Question 3: What is the most serious side effect to monitor for when a patient is receiving IV vancomycin?
- Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity (Correct answer)
- Constipation
- Photosensitivity
- Hyperglycaemia
Correct answer: Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity
Vancomycin can cause nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) and ototoxicity (hearing damage). Regular monitoring of renal function and drug levels (therapeutic drug monitoring) is essential.
Question 4: Which class of drug requires special monitoring because it has a narrow therapeutic index?
- Digoxin, warfarin, lithium (Correct answer)
- Paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin
- Amoxicillin, penicillin, erythromycin
- Omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole
Correct answer: Digoxin, warfarin, lithium
Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (NTI) — like digoxin, warfarin, and lithium — have a very small difference between therapeutic and toxic doses. Regular blood level monitoring is essential.
Question 5: Before administering any blood product, what must a nurse complete?
- Two-nurse identity check at the bedside against the prescription and blood bag label (Correct answer)
- A single nurse check of the bag only
- A verbal confirmation from the patient only
- A check only if the patient has had a previous transfusion reaction
Correct answer: Two-nurse identity check at the bedside against the prescription and blood bag label
Blood product administration requires a two-person bedside check, verifying patient identity (wristband, verbal confirmation), blood group, cross-match number, expiry date, and bag integrity.
Question 6: What does the term 'anaphylaxis' describe in the context of drug administration?
- A severe, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction (Correct answer)
- A mild skin rash from a drug
- Nausea and vomiting after medication
- A delayed hypersensitivity reaction over days
Correct answer: A severe, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis is a severe, immediate, systemic allergic reaction that can cause bronchospasm, hypotension, urticaria, and angioedema. It is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment with adrenaline.
NMBI Medication Administration 2
When administering insulin, what should a nurse check before the injection?