QBV Medication Administration Flashcards
(90 cards)
What factor can most significantly impact the absorption of an oral medication?
A. The route of administration
B. The pH of the medication
C. The lipid solubility of the medication
D. The blood flow to the absorptive site
Answer: D. The blood flow to the absorptive site
Rationale: Higher blood flow to the absorption site increases the rate at which a medication is absorbed. While factors like pH and lipid solubility are also important, they don’t directly impact absorption speed as significantly as blood flow.
Which of the following routes of administration provides the fastest rate of absorption?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
Answer: D. Intravenous
Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers the medication directly into the circulatory system, bypassing absorption barriers, making it the fastest route for absorption.
Why are oral medications often designed to be absorbed in the small intestine rather than the stomach?
A. Because the stomach has a smaller surface area
B. Because the stomach is too acidic
C. Because the small intestine has a larger surface area and is more alkaline
D. Because oral medications can’t be absorbed in the stomach
Answer: C. Because the small intestine has a larger surface area and is more alkaline
Rationale: The small intestine’s larger surface area and its alkaline environment allow for more efficient absorption, particularly for weak bases.
What is the main concern when administering oral medication to a patient with diarrhea?
A. Slower dissolution of the drug
B. Reduced medication absorption
C. Risk of drug toxicity
D. Increased dissolution time
Answer: B. Reduced medication absorption
Rationale: Diarrhea can decrease the time the drug spends in the intestines, reducing absorption.
A nurse administers aspirin to a client. In which environment is aspirin more rapidly absorbed?
A. The stomach
B. The small intestine
C. The large intestine
D. The liver
Answer: A. The stomach
Rationale: Aspirin, being non-ionized in an acidic environment, is absorbed more rapidly in the stomach than in the alkaline small intestine.
What is the first step in pharmacokinetics after administering a medication?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: A. Absorption
Rationale: Absorption refers to the movement of medication from the site of administration into the circulatory system, which is the first step in pharmacokinetics.
The nurse notes that a client vomited shortly after receiving an oral medication. What should be the nurse’s first action?
A. Notify the provider
B. Inspect the vomitus for presence of medication
C. Document the incident
D. Administer the dose again
Answer: B. Inspect the vomitus for presence of medication
Rationale: The first step should be to determine whether the medication was expelled. This will guide the next steps, such as notifying the provider or redosing.
The process by which a medication is chemically changed, often in the liver, is known as:
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: C. Metabolism
Rationale: Metabolism involves the chemical alteration of a drug, primarily in the liver, preparing it for excretion or changing its activity.
Which patient factor is most likely to influence medication distribution?
A. Age
B. Protein-binding ability
C. Route of administration
D. Blood–brain barrier permeability
Answer: B. Protein-binding ability
Rationale: Protein-binding influences the amount of free, active drug available for distribution. Medications bound to proteins are not available to cross membranes and exert effects.
Which of the following is responsible for the first-pass effect?
A. Kidneys
B. Small intestine
C. Liver
D. Heart
Answer: C. Liver
Rationale: The first-pass effect occurs when an orally administered drug is significantly metabolized by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation, reducing its bioavailability.
In patients with decreased renal function, what is the primary concern regarding medication administration?
A. Increased absorption
B. Decreased metabolism
C. Delayed excretion
D. Enhanced protein binding
Answer: C. Delayed excretion
Rationale: Decreased renal function leads to slower excretion of drugs, raising the risk of medication toxicity.
Why should a nurse be cautious when administering medication to an elderly client with impaired liver function?
A. They may experience faster metabolism
B. The drug’s half-life will be prolonged
C. They are more likely to vomit the medication
D. They will absorb the medication more quickly
Answer: B. The drug’s half-life will be prolonged
Rationale: Impaired liver function slows metabolism, which can lead to prolonged drug effects and an increased risk of toxicity due to delayed excretion.
When a medication has a narrow therapeutic range, what should the nurse be most vigilant about?
A. Monitoring peak and trough levels
B. Administering with food
C. Giving it only via IV
D. Avoiding drug-drug interactions
Answer: A. Monitoring peak and trough levels
Rationale: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic range require precise dosing, and monitoring peak and trough levels ensures the medication remains effective without reaching toxic levels.
Which of the following best describes an agonist?
A. A drug that binds to a receptor and activates it
B. A drug that prevents a receptor from being activated
C. A drug that only affects ion channels
D. A drug that only affects the kidneys
A. A drug that binds to a receptor and activates it
Rationale: Agonists activate receptors to produce a physiological response, while antagonists block receptor activation.
What is a serious adverse drug event (ADE)?
A. A mild rash after medication administration
B. A life-threatening reaction that requires intervention
C. A drug-drug interaction that decreases the therapeutic effect
D. A side effect that leads to minor discomfort
B. A life-threatening reaction that requires intervention
Rationale: Serious ADEs are life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention to prevent further harm or death.
A nurse administers a medication that undergoes significant first-pass metabolism. Which route would be most appropriate to bypass this effect?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Sublingual
D. Rectal
C. Sublingual
Rationale: Sublingual medications bypass the liver and avoid the first-pass effect, leading to more rapid systemic absorption.
What is the half-life of a drug?
A. The time it takes for a drug to be absorbed
B. The time it takes for the drug concentration to decrease by 50%
C. The duration of time a drug remains effective
D. The time it takes for the drug to peak in concentration
B. The time it takes for the drug concentration to decrease by 50%
Rationale: A drug’s half-life is the time required for its plasma concentration to be reduced by half, influencing dosing intervals.
Anaphylaxis is best defined as:
A. A mild allergic reaction
B. A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
C. A reaction that only affects the skin
D. An adverse reaction that resolves on its own
B. A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
Rationale: Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal allergic reaction, characterized by respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse, requiring immediate intervention.
What action should a nurse take when a patient reports an herbal supplement while on prescription medication?
A. Ignore the supplement as it has no effects on medications
B. Educate the patient on potential drug-herbal interactions
C. Discontinue the prescription medication
D. Disregard the supplement unless it’s a vitamin
B. Educate the patient on potential drug-herbal interactions
Rationale: Herbal supplements can interact with prescription medications, potentially enhancing or diminishing their effects, so patient education is crucial.
What is a black box warning on a medication label?
A. A sign that the medication is ineffective
B. A warning that the medication has potential lethal side effects
C. A routine label for all medications
D. A notice that the medication should only be used in emergencies
B. A warning that the medication has potential lethal side effects
Rationale: A black box warning alerts healthcare providers to serious or life-threatening risks associated with the use of a medication.
A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed medication to a 70-year-old client. Which factor should the nurse prioritize to prevent medication errors in this population?
a) Client’s nutritional status
b) Client’s age-related physiological changes
c) Client’s gender
d) Client’s body mass index (BMI)
b) Client’s age-related physiological changes
Rationale: Older adults experience age-related changes that affect the metabolism, absorption, and excretion of medications. Decreased liver, heart, and kidney functions can alter how medications are processed, leading to increased risk of toxicity. This population is also more prone to adverse drug reactions due to polypharmacy. Age-related physiological changes are a critical consideration in preventing medication errors in this group.
A pregnant client at 8 weeks of gestation asks the nurse if she can take over-the-counter cold medicine. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
a) “It’s safe to take any cold medicine in the first trimester.”
b) “Check with your health care provider before taking any medication.”
c) “Avoid all medications during pregnancy to prevent harm to your baby.”
d) “Only use natural remedies during pregnancy.”
b) “Check with your health care provider before taking any medication.”
Rationale: Although some medications are safe during pregnancy, others can be harmful, particularly during the first trimester when organogenesis occurs. The health care provider needs to assess the risks and benefits of the medication based on the client’s health condition and gestational age. It is essential for the nurse to avoid giving blanket recommendations without provider consultation.
The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old client. When administering medications, the nurse calculates the dose based on the client’s weight in kilograms. Why is this necessary in pediatric clients?
a) Pediatric clients have a higher body surface area.
b) Pediatric clients have a higher rate of metabolism.
c) Pediatric clients have faster renal clearance.
d) Pediatric clients have stronger muscle mass.
b) Pediatric clients have a higher rate of metabolism.
Rationale: Pediatric clients often require higher doses of medications per kilogram of weight due to their faster metabolic rate. Additionally, their organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are still maturing, affecting the processing of medications. Weight-based dosing helps prevent underdosing or overdosing in this vulnerable population.
A nurse is about to administer a medication labeled for another client but realizes the label contains the correct drug and dosage as prescribed. What should the nurse do next?
a) Administer the medication as it is correct.
b) Notify the provider of the error.
c) Collaborate with the pharmacist for correction.
d) Ask the client if they have taken the medication before.
C) Collaborate with the pharmacist for correction.
Rationale: Administering a medication that is labeled for another client violates the “right client” of medication administration and can lead to serious errors. It is critical to ensure the medication is correctly labeled for the intended client. The pharmacist should be contacted to correct the error before administration.