OSCE Pharmacology and Medication Administration 4

Question 1

A nurse is preparing to hang a new IV bag and notes the solution is cloudy. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Discard the bag and obtain a new one

Answer

Cloudiness indicates contamination or precipitation, and the solution must be discarded to prevent administering a compromised medication.

Question 2

A patient prescribed levothyroxine asks when to take the medication. What is the best response?

Accepted Answer

Take it on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast

Answer

Levothyroxine must be taken fasting because food, especially calcium and iron, significantly impairs its absorption.

Question 3

During an IV infusion, a patient reports burning and pain proximal to the IV site, and the area appears pale and cool. The nurse suspects:

Accepted Answer

Infiltration

Answer

Infiltration is the inadvertent infusion of non-vesicant fluid into surrounding tissue, causing pallor, coolness, and swelling at the site.

Question 4

A nurse is preparing IV vancomycin. The infusion should run over at least how long to prevent Red Man Syndrome?

Accepted Answer

60 minutes

Answer

Vancomycin must infuse over at least 60 minutes to prevent histamine-mediated Red Man Syndrome (flushing, erythema, hypotension).

Question 5

When performing the six rights of medication administration, 'right documentation' means:

Accepted Answer

Document the medication immediately after it is given

Answer

Documentation must occur immediately after administration to maintain accurate records and prevent double-dosing errors.

OSCE Practice Test