NMC OSCE Medicine Administration

Question 1

According to NMC standards, what are the five rights of medication administration that must be verified before giving any medicine?

Accepted Answer

Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time

Answer

The five rights of medication administration are: right patient (check identity using at least two identifiers), right drug (check against prescription), right dose (verify calculation), right route (oral, IV, IM, etc.), and right time (correct frequency and timing). Some frameworks now include additional rights such as right documentation and right to refuse.

Question 2

A patient is prescribed insulin via subcutaneous injection. Which sites are appropriate for subcutaneous insulin injection and what technique should be used?

Accepted Answer

Abdomen (avoiding 5cm around the umbilicus), outer thigh, upper arm, or buttock; inject at 90 degrees into a skin fold using a short needle

Answer

Subcutaneous insulin injection sites include the abdomen (fastest absorption, avoiding 5cm around the umbilicus), outer thigh, upper outer arm, and buttock. A 90-degree angle with a short needle (4-8mm) into a gentle skin fold is recommended. Sites should be rotated systematically within the same body region to prevent lipohypertrophy.

Question 3

You need to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult patient. Using the ventrogluteal site, what is the correct landmark technique?

Accepted Answer

Place the palm over the greater trochanter, the index finger on the anterior superior iliac spine, and the middle finger towards the iliac crest — inject into the V formed between the fingers

Answer

The ventrogluteal site is the preferred IM injection site for adults as it has no major nerves or blood vessels nearby. The landmarks are: palm on the greater trochanter, index finger on the ASIS, middle finger stretched towards the iliac crest, forming a V-shaped area. Inject into the centre of this V at 90 degrees using a Z-track technique.

Question 4

A patient has a known penicillin allergy documented as anaphylaxis. The doctor prescribes co-amoxiclav (Augmentin). What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Withhold the medication and immediately contact the prescriber, as co-amoxiclav contains amoxicillin which is a penicillin

Answer

Co-amoxiclav (Augmentin) contains amoxicillin, which is a penicillin antibiotic. It must NOT be given to a patient with a documented penicillin allergy, especially one with a history of anaphylaxis. The nurse must withhold the drug, document the reason, and contact the prescriber immediately for an alternative antibiotic.

Question 5

When administering a controlled drug (Schedule 2) in a hospital setting, what specific procedure must be followed according to NMC and UK regulations?

Accepted Answer

Two registered practitioners must check, prepare, and witness administration; the entry must be recorded in the controlled drug register with both signatures

Answer

Schedule 2 controlled drugs (e.g., morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone) require a second registered practitioner to independently check the prescription, prepare the dose, witness administration, and sign the controlled drug register. The stock balance must be checked and recorded. Any discrepancy must be reported immediately.

NMC OSCE Practice Test

NMC OSCE Practice Test

NMC OSCE Medicine Administration