Free AAMA Pharmacology Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following routes of administration provides the fastest absorption of a medication?
- Oral (PO)
- Intramuscular (IM)
- Intravenous (IV) (Correct answer)
- Subcutaneous (Subcut)
Correct answer: Intravenous (IV)
The intravenous (IV) route delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, bypassing absorption barriers in other tissues. This results in an immediate onset of action, making it the fastest route of administration.
Question 2: A prescription for which of the following medications requires a written prescription and cannot be refilled?
- Loratadine (Claritin)
- Morphine (Correct answer)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Amoxicillin
Correct answer: Morphine
Morphine is a Schedule II controlled substance. Drugs in this category have a high potential for abuse and require a written or electronic prescription, and refills are not permitted.
Question 3: A physician orders 500 mg of amoxicillin. The available stock is 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the medical assistant administer?
- 1 tablet
- 1.5 tablets
- 2 tablets (Correct answer)
- 0.5 tablets
Correct answer: 2 tablets
To solve this, use the formula: (Dose Ordered / Dose on Hand) x Quantity. In this case, (500 mg / 250 mg) x 1 tablet = 2 tablets. The medical assistant should administer two tablets to achieve the ordered dose.
Question 4: The medical abbreviation "q.i.d." written on a prescription means the medication should be taken how often?
- Twice a day
- Three times a day
- Four times a day (Correct answer)
- Every other day
Correct answer: Four times a day
The Latin abbreviation "q.i.d." stands for "quater in die," which translates to four times a day. It is a common directive for medication frequency.
Question 5: Which of the following is the preferred injection site for an intramuscular (IM) injection on an infant?
- Deltoid
- Vastus lateralis (Correct answer)
- Dorsogluteal
- Ventrogluteal
Correct answer: Vastus lateralis
The vastus lateralis muscle, located on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, is the preferred site for IM injections in infants and young children. This muscle is well-developed and lacks major nerves and blood vessels.
Question 6: All of the following are part of the "Seven Rights" of medication administration EXCEPT:
- Right Dose
- Right Route
- Right Documentation
- Right Provider (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Right Provider
The "Seven Rights" are Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time, Right Documentation, and Right to Refuse. Right Provider is not one of the universally accepted rights of medication administration, as the focus is on the actions of the person administering the medication.
