LVN Medication Administration 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the rights of medication administration?
- Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation, and reason (Correct answer)
- Only the right drug
- Only the right patient and drug
- Only three rights exist
Correct answer: Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation, and reason
The rights serve as safety checks before every medication administration.
Question 2: What is the difference between enteral and parenteral drug administration?
- Enteral is through the GI tract; parenteral bypasses it (injection, IV) (Correct answer)
- They are the same
- Enteral means injection
- Parenteral means oral
Correct answer: Enteral is through the GI tract; parenteral bypasses it (injection, IV)
Enteral includes oral, sublingual, and rectal routes. Parenteral includes IV, IM, subcutaneous, and intradermal.
Question 3: What information should be documented after administering medication?
- Drug name, dose, route, time, patient response, and the nurse's initials (Correct answer)
- Only the drug name
- Only the time
- Documentation is optional
Correct answer: Drug name, dose, route, time, patient response, and the nurse's initials
Complete medication documentation provides a legal record and enables care continuity.
Question 4: What is a medication allergy vs. a side effect?
- An allergy involves an immune response; a side effect is a predictable pharmacological reaction (Correct answer)
- They are the same thing
- Allergies are milder
- Side effects are always serious
Correct answer: An allergy involves an immune response; a side effect is a predictable pharmacological reaction
Allergies involve the immune system (hives, anaphylaxis) while side effects are expected secondary pharmacological effects.
Question 5: What is a PRN medication?
- A medication given as needed based on patient symptoms rather than on a fixed schedule (Correct answer)
- A mandatory daily medication
- A medication given only at bedtime
- An over-the-counter supplement
Correct answer: A medication given as needed based on patient symptoms rather than on a fixed schedule
PRN medications require assessment of the patient's need and documentation of the indication and response.
Question 6: Why is medication reconciliation important?
- It prevents errors when patients transition between care settings by comparing medication lists (Correct answer)
- It is only for insurance purposes
- It is optional
- It only applies to new medications
Correct answer: It prevents errors when patients transition between care settings by comparing medication lists
Reconciliation at admission, transfer, and discharge catches discrepancies that could lead to adverse events.
