NMC OSCE Medicine Administration 2

Question 1

You are preparing to administer IV medication through a peripheral cannula. What checks must you perform on the cannula site before administration?

Accepted Answer

Check for signs of phlebitis (redness, swelling, pain, palpable venous cord), infiltration, patency by flushing with 0.9% saline, and check the dressing is intact and dated

Answer

Check the cannula is the correct colour only

Answer

No checks needed if the cannula was inserted today

Answer

Only check that fluid is running through it

Question 2

A patient refuses to take their prescribed medication. According to NMC standards, what is the correct nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's right to refuse, explain the consequences, document the refusal and reasons, and inform the prescriber

Answer

Crush the medication and hide it in food

Answer

Tell the patient they must take it as prescribed

Answer

Omit the medication without documentation

Question 3

When reconstituting a powdered antibiotic for intravenous administration, which document should you consult for specific dilution instructions?

Accepted Answer

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) or local injectable medicines guide

Answer

The patient's care plan

Answer

The ward noticeboard

Answer

The nurse's personal notes from training

Question 4

A medication error occurs: a patient receives double the prescribed dose of an antihypertensive. What is the correct sequence of actions?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient for adverse effects, take immediate clinical action if needed, inform the prescriber and nurse in charge, complete a Datix/incident report, and inform the patient using duty of candour

Answer

Hide the error and monitor the patient quietly

Answer

Complete the incident report first, then check the patient

Answer

Wait until the end of the shift to report it

Question 5

What is the maximum volume that should be administered via intramuscular injection at a single site in an adult?

Accepted Answer

5 mL (for large muscles such as ventrogluteal); 2 mL for the deltoid

Answer

20 mL

Answer

10 mL at any site

Answer

1 mL at all sites

Question 6

A patient is prescribed warfarin. Before administration, which blood test result must the nurse check and what is the therapeutic range for most indications?

Accepted Answer

INR (International Normalised Ratio); therapeutic range is typically 2.0-3.0 for most indications

Answer

Full blood count; haemoglobin above 120 g/L

Answer

Serum potassium; range 3.5-5.0 mmol/L

Answer

Blood glucose; range 4-7 mmol/L