Specialty Certified Medical Assistant Pharmacology and Medication Administration

Question 1

What are the 'Seven Rights' of medication administration?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

The Seven Rights are: right patient, drug, dose, route, time, reason, and documentation — a checklist to prevent medication errors.

Question 2

Which route of administration has the fastest onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Intravenous administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, providing the fastest and most predictable onset of action.

Question 3

A medical assistant is preparing to administer an IM injection to an adult. Which site is most commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Deltoid muscle

Answer

The deltoid muscle in the upper arm is the most common IM injection site for adults due to ease of access for small-volume medications and vaccines.

Question 4

What does the abbreviation 'PRN' mean on a medication order?

Accepted Answer

As needed

Answer

PRN (pro re nata) means 'as needed,' indicating the medication should be given only when the patient meets specified criteria.

Question 5

Which schedule of controlled substance has the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the US?

Accepted Answer

Schedule I

Answer

Schedule I substances have the highest abuse potential, no accepted medical use, and lack accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

Specialty Certified Medical Assistant Practice Test