Pharmacology and Medication Administration Flashcards

What are the 'Seven Rights' of medication administration?

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

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

Which route of administration has the fastest onset of action?

Answer: Intravenous (IV)

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

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

Answer: Deltoid muscle

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.

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

Answer: As needed

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

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

Answer: Schedule I

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

A patient is prescribed amoxicillin and reports an allergy to penicillin. What should the medical assistant do?

Answer: Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic; cross-reactivity is possible, so the prescriber must be notified before administration.