Answer the following statement(s) true (T) or false (F)

Question

1. When a medication is ordered orally, it is acceptable for the health care professional to
substitute another route of administration (e.g., IM or IV) if the patient is unable to eat or drink.
2. All medications must be administered on an empty stomach to be effective.
3. One method of discerning that the right patient is receiving the ordered medication is to ask the
patient to verify their name and birth date and compare it to the wristband and/or chart
information.
4. Administering the right drug to the right patient at the wrong time is not considered a
medication error.
5. If a medication error is considered minimal without resulting in a disability, an error report
should not be generated to avoid undue risk to the institution.

Answer 1

1. False
The medication may only be administered by the route noted in the order.
If an alternative route is necessary, a new order must be written.
2. False
The health care professional administering any medication is responsible
for being aware of the correct conditions under which a medication is to be
administered. Some medications require an empty stomach for proper absorption.
Others may not be given with certain foods which may impair absorption.
3. True
4. False
The medication must be administered at the ordered time or interval to
5. False
All medication errors must be reported immediately and documented
appropriately.