After instilling timolol eye drops, the nurse presses gently on the inner canthus for 1-2 minutes. The purpose is to:

Reduce systemic absorption via the tear duct

Spread the drug evenly over the whole cornea

Stimulate tear flow to dilute the drug further

Stop the patient blinking the drop out

The Z-track method of intramuscular injection is used mainly to:

Prevent the drug leaking back into subcutaneous tissue

Allow a larger volume of drug to be given at a single site

Speed the absorption of the drug into the blood

Reduce the pain of needle insertion

A nurse is giving enoxaparin from a prefilled syringe into the abdomen. Which action is correct?

Keep the air bubble and do not rub the site

Aspirate first to check for blood return

Inject 1-2 cm from the umbilicus

Massage the site to speed absorption

The most accurate device for measuring a 2.5 mL dose of oral syrup for a child is:

A dropper from another medicine

Drug administration and dosage calculation

22 AIIMS NORCET (Nursing Officer) practice questions on Drug administration and dosage calculation, part of Pharmacology. The first 22 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Medium
After instilling timolol eye drops, the nurse presses gently on the inner canthus for 1-2 minutes. The purpose is to:
1. AReduce systemic absorption via the tear duct
2. BSpread the drug evenly over the whole cornea
3. CStimulate tear flow to dilute the drug further
4. DStop the patient blinking the drop out
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Answer: A · Reduce systemic absorption via the tear duct
Pressure over the inner canthus closes the punctum and nasolacrimal duct, so less drug drains into the nose where it is absorbed into the blood. This matters for timolol, a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia and bronchospasm when absorbed. The drop is placed in the lower conjunctival sac without touching the eye. The patient is asked to close the eye gently, not squeeze it.
- B: Gentle closing of the eyelid spreads the drug; pressure on the canthus does not.
- C: More tears would wash the drug away and are not wanted.
- D: Pressure on the canthus does not control blinking.
Question 2 · Easy
The needle angle recommended for an intramuscular injection in an adult is:
1. A45 degrees
2. B25 degrees
3. C15 degrees
4. D90 degrees
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Answer: D · 90 degrees
An intramuscular injection is given with the needle at 90 degrees to the skin so that the tip reaches the muscle layer. Muscle has a good blood supply, so absorption is faster than from subcutaneous tissue. A shallower angle risks leaving the drug in fat, where it absorbs poorly and can cause a sterile abscess. The skin is stretched or Z-tracked, not pinched, in most adults.
- A: 45 degrees is the angle for subcutaneous injection with a longer needle or in a thin patient.
- B: 25 degrees is a typical angle for peripheral IV cannulation, not for an IM injection.
- C: 15 degrees is close to the intradermal angle, which deposits the drug just under the epidermis.
Question 3 · Easy
The Z-track method of intramuscular injection is used mainly to:
1. AAllow a larger volume of drug to be given at a single site
2. BPrevent the drug leaking back into subcutaneous tissue
3. CSpeed the absorption of the drug into the blood
4. DReduce the pain of needle insertion
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Answer: B · Prevent the drug leaking back into subcutaneous tissue
In the Z-track method the skin and subcutaneous tissue are pulled about 2.5-3.5 cm to one side before the needle is inserted, then released after withdrawal. This leaves a zigzag track that seals the drug in the muscle. It is used for irritant or staining drugs such as iron dextran. Many guidelines now advise it for all IM injections in adults.
- A: The maximum volume per site is set by the muscle size and does not change with the technique.
- C: Absorption speed depends on the muscle and its blood flow, not on the Z-track.
- D: Pain is reduced by a sharp needle and a relaxed muscle, not mainly by the Z-track.
Question 4 · Medium
A nurse is giving enoxaparin from a prefilled syringe into the abdomen. Which action is correct?
1. AKeep the air bubble and do not rub the site
2. BAspirate first to check for blood return
3. CInject 1-2 cm from the umbilicus
4. DMassage the site to speed absorption
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Answer: A · Keep the air bubble and do not rub the site
The air bubble in a prefilled enoxaparin syringe is left in place so the full dose is delivered and the drug is sealed into the tissue. The injection is given deep subcutaneously into a pinched fold, at least 5 cm from the umbilicus, rotating sides. Aspiration and rubbing are avoided because both increase bruising and haematoma. The patient is watched for bleeding at the site and elsewhere.
- B: Aspiration damages small vessels and increases bruising; it is not done for subcutaneous anticoagulants.
- C: The site must be at least 5 cm from the umbilicus to avoid its vessels.
- D: Massage causes local bleeding and bruising and is avoided.
Question 5 · Easy
The most accurate device for measuring a 2.5 mL dose of oral syrup for a child is:
1. AAn oral dosing syringe
2. BA 30 mL plastic medicine cup
3. CA household teaspoon
4. DA dropper from another medicine
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Answer: A · An oral dosing syringe
An oral syringe marked in 0.1-0.5 mL steps measures small liquid doses accurately. Household spoons vary widely in volume, and a 30 mL cup is too coarse to read 2.5 mL. A dropper is calibrated only for its own product. Oral syringes are labelled and cannot fit an IV port, which prevents wrong-route errors.
- B: A 30 mL cup has coarse markings and cannot measure 2.5 mL accurately.
- C: Household teaspoons vary in size and give inaccurate doses.
- D: A dropper is calibrated only for the product it came with.
Question 6 · Medium
To instil ear drops in a 2-year-old child, the nurse straightens the ear canal by pulling the pinna:
1. AUp and back
2. BStraight forward
3. CUp and forward
4. DDown and back
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Easy
The preferred site for an intramuscular vaccine such as pentavalent in a 6-week-old infant is the:
1. AAnterolateral thigh (vastus lateralis)
2. BUpper arm (deltoid muscle)
3. CUpper outer buttock (dorsogluteal)
4. DLateral hip (ventrogluteal site)
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Medium
When locating the ventrogluteal injection site on an adult, the nurse places the heel of the hand over the:
1. AGreater trochanter of the femur
2. BAcromion process
3. CIschial tuberosity
4. DPosterior superior iliac spine
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Medium
A patient fed through a nasogastric tube is prescribed enteric-coated aspirin and a sustained-release nifedipine tablet. The nurse should:
1. ADissolve the tablets together in milk
2. BAsk the prescriber for forms that can be given by tube
3. CGive both tablets whole through the tube
4. DCrush both tablets finely and flush them through with water
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Medium
A patient refuses his scheduled oral antihypertensive tablet after the nurse explains why it is needed. The most appropriate action is to:
1. ACrush it into his food without telling him
2. BAsk a relative to persuade him to take it
3. CRespect the refusal, document it and tell the doctor
4. DChart the dose as given and offer the tablet again later
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Hard
Amikacin 15 mg/kg/day in two divided doses is ordered for a 40 kg patient. The vial contains 500 mg in 2 mL. What volume is given per dose?
1. A1.2 mL
2. B3.0 mL
3. C0.6 mL
4. D2.4 mL
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Hard
Heparin 25,000 units in 250 mL is to run at 18 units/kg/h for a 70 kg patient. The infusion rate is:
1. A1.26 mL/h
2. B25.2 mL/h
3. C12.6 mL/h
4. D18 mL/h
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Easy
Which route delivers a drug directly into the systemic circulation, escaping first-pass metabolism in the liver?
1. ASublingual
2. BEnteric-coated oral tablet
3. COral tablet swallowed
4. DNasogastric tube
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Hard
A 12 kg child is prescribed paracetamol 15 mg/kg orally. The syrup available is 120 mg per 5 mL. What volume should be given?
1. A7.5 mL
2. B15 mL
3. C1.5 mL
4. D3.6 mL
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 15 · Medium
A nurse realises she has given a patient another patient's dose of oral amlodipine 10 mg. What should she do first?
1. AComplete an incident report form
2. BExplain the error to the patient's family
3. CInform the nursing supervisor
4. DAssess the patient's vital signs and condition
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 16 · Hard
A ceftriaxone 1 g vial is reconstituted with 9.6 mL water; the powder adds 0.4 mL, giving 10 mL. A 15 kg child is ordered 50 mg/kg. What volume should be drawn up?
1. A0.75 mL
2. B3.75 mL
3. C7.5 mL
4. D7.2 mL
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 17 · Medium
A litre of normal saline is ordered over 8 hours using an infusion set that delivers 20 drops/mL. The correct drip rate is about:
1. A31 drops/min
2. B125 drops/min
3. C21 drops/min
4. D42 drops/min
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Medium
A doctor orders amoxicillin 500 mg orally. The syrup on hand contains 250 mg in 5 mL. How much should the nurse give?
1. A5 mL
2. B10 mL
3. C2 mL
4. D2.5 mL
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 19 · Easy
Which way of writing an insulin order best avoids a medication error?
1. A10 units
2. B10 IU
3. C10.0 units
4. D10 U
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Medium
Along with the patient's full name, which is an acceptable second identifier before giving a medication?
1. AAdmitting diagnosis
2. BBed number and ward name
3. CName of the treating consultant
4. DHospital registration number
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 21 · Hard
At 10:00 a litre of fluid was started to run over 6 hours. At 13:00, 600 mL remain. The doctor orders it to finish on time. With a 15 drops/mL set, the new drip rate is:
1. A50 drops/min
2. B42 drops/min
3. C200 drops/min
4. D33 drops/min
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 22 · Easy
For the Mantoux tuberculin skin test, the needle is inserted:
1. AAt 30 degrees with the bevel down
2. BAt 5-15 degrees with the bevel up
3. CAt 45 degrees with the bevel down
4. DAt 90 degrees with the bevel up
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

Drug administration and dosage calculation

After instilling timolol eye drops, the nurse presses gently on the inner canthus for 1-2 minutes. The purpose is to:

The needle angle recommended for an intramuscular injection in an adult is:

The Z-track method of intramuscular injection is used mainly to:

A nurse is giving enoxaparin from a prefilled syringe into the abdomen. Which action is correct?

The most accurate device for measuring a 2.5 mL dose of oral syrup for a child is:

To instil ear drops in a 2-year-old child, the nurse straightens the ear canal by pulling the pinna:

The preferred site for an intramuscular vaccine such as pentavalent in a 6-week-old infant is the:

When locating the ventrogluteal injection site on an adult, the nurse places the heel of the hand over the:

A patient fed through a nasogastric tube is prescribed enteric-coated aspirin and a sustained-release nifedipine tablet. The nurse should:

A patient refuses his scheduled oral antihypertensive tablet after the nurse explains why it is needed. The most appropriate action is to:

Amikacin 15 mg/kg/day in two divided doses is ordered for a 40 kg patient. The vial contains 500 mg in 2 mL. What volume is given per dose?

Heparin 25,000 units in 250 mL is to run at 18 units/kg/h for a 70 kg patient. The infusion rate is:

Which route delivers a drug directly into the systemic circulation, escaping first-pass metabolism in the liver?

A 12 kg child is prescribed paracetamol 15 mg/kg orally. The syrup available is 120 mg per 5 mL. What volume should be given?

A nurse realises she has given a patient another patient's dose of oral amlodipine 10 mg. What should she do first?

A ceftriaxone 1 g vial is reconstituted with 9.6 mL water; the powder adds 0.4 mL, giving 10 mL. A 15 kg child is ordered 50 mg/kg. What volume should be drawn up?

A litre of normal saline is ordered over 8 hours using an infusion set that delivers 20 drops/mL. The correct drip rate is about:

A doctor orders amoxicillin 500 mg orally. The syrup on hand contains 250 mg in 5 mL. How much should the nurse give?

Which way of writing an insulin order best avoids a medication error?

Along with the patient's full name, which is an acceptable second identifier before giving a medication?

At 10:00 a litre of fluid was started to run over 6 hours. At 13:00, 600 mL remain. The doctor orders it to finish on time. With a 15 drops/mL set, the new drip rate is:

For the Mantoux tuberculin skin test, the needle is inserted: