NMC Medicines Management and Safety 2

Question 1

A patient is prescribed metformin 500mg twice daily but accidentally receives 1000mg twice daily for three days. What is the most important immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the error, assess the patient for adverse effects, and notify the prescriber immediately

Answer

When a medication error occurs, the nurse must immediately assess the patient for harm, notify the prescriber, and report through the organisation's incident reporting system.

Question 2

Which of the following is a 'high-alert' medication requiring extra verification steps before administration?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous potassium chloride concentrate

Answer

Concentrated potassium chloride IV is a high-alert medication because errors can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias; it requires double-checking and is typically restricted to diluted premixed bags.

Question 3

A nurse is about to administer a medication when the patient states, 'That pill looks different from usual.' What is the correct response?

Accepted Answer

Hold the medication, verify the prescription and product, and investigate before administering

Answer

Patient concerns about medication appearance must be taken seriously; the nurse should withhold the dose and verify the drug, dose, and formulation before proceeding.

Question 4

Under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, which schedule of controlled drug requires a witness signature when administering and wasting the remainder?

Accepted Answer

Schedule 2

Answer

Schedule 2 controlled drugs (e.g., morphine, diamorphine) require two registered nurses to check, sign the controlled drug register, and witness disposal of any unused portion.

Question 5

A patient with a known penicillin allergy is prescribed amoxicillin. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Withhold the medication and contact the prescriber immediately

Answer

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic; administering it to a penicillin-allergic patient poses a serious anaphylaxis risk, so the nurse must withhold it and alert the prescriber.

(NMC) Nursing Midwifery Council Practice Test

(NMC) Nursing Midwifery Council Practice Test

NMC Medicines Management and Safety 2