RPN - Registered Practical Nurse Safe Medication Administration Questions and Answers

Question 1

An RPN is preparing to administer insulin, a high-alert medication. Which of the following actions is the MOST critical safety measure the nurse should take?

Accepted Answer

Have another qualified nurse independently double-check the dose and medication.

Answer

Administer the insulin within a 30-minute window of the scheduled time.

Answer

Ask the client to state their name and date of birth before administration.

Answer

Document the injection site in the medication administration record (MAR) immediately after giving the insulin.

Question 2

A client is being discharged from the hospital. The RPN's role in medication reconciliation is to ensure a complete and accurate list of the client's medications. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this process?

Accepted Answer

To prevent medication errors such as omissions, duplications, and dosing errors during transitions in care.

Answer

To provide the client with a full supply of all their prescribed medications.

Answer

To educate the client on the brand names of all their new prescriptions.

Answer

To ensure the hospital pharmacy has billed correctly for all administered drugs.

Question 3

An RPN is administering morning medications to a client who states, "This pill looks different from the one I usually take for my blood pressure." What is the RPN's BEST initial action?

Accepted Answer

Stop and re-verify the medication and order before administering it.

Answer

Explain to the client that manufacturers sometimes change the appearance of pills.

Answer

Administer the medication as ordered and check on the client later.

Answer

Withhold the medication and notify the charge nurse immediately.

Question 4

Which of the following represents a correct application of the '10 Rights of Medication Administration'?

Accepted Answer

Providing education to the client about the purpose and common side effects of a newly prescribed medication.

Answer

Documenting the administration of a PRN analgesic immediately before going to retrieve it from the medication cart.

Answer

Crushing an enteric-coated tablet for a client with dysphagia to ensure they can swallow it.

Answer

Verifying the client's identity using their name and room number before administering a medication.

Question 5

An RPN receives a telephone order from a physician for a new medication. To ensure safe medication administration, which action is essential for the RPN to take?

Accepted Answer

Read back the complete order to the prescriber for verification.

Answer

Administer the medication immediately as per the verbal order.

Answer

Ask a colleague to listen to the order with them.

Answer

Wait for the physician to enter the order into the computer system before administering.

Question 6

A client has the right to refuse a medication. If a competent adult client refuses their morning dose of an antihypertensive, what is the RPN's priority action?

Accepted Answer

Assess the client's reason for refusal, provide education, and document the event and inform the prescriber.

Answer

Administer the medication anyway, as it is essential for their health.

Answer

Document the refusal in the MAR and discard the medication.

Answer

Notify the client's family about the refusal to take the medication.