Why does the nurse administer lorazepam intramuscularly (IM) to the patient rather than into the subcutaneous tissue?

The patient does not have enough body fat to give the medication subcutaneously.

Intramuscular injections require smaller needles than subcutaneous injections.

The medication will be absorbed and begin to work more quickly when given IM.

Intramuscular injections are preferred for patients with a high risk of bleeding.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Body fat levels influence subcutaneous absorption but are not the primary reason for choosing IM over SC injection in this scenario.

Choice B reason: Needle size varies by medication and patient factors, but this is not the defining reason for selecting IM over SC injection.

Choice C reason: IM injections deliver medication directly to muscle tissue with a rich vascular supply, ensuring faster absorption and onset compared to subcutaneous administration.

Choice D reason: IM injections are not inherently safer for patients at risk of bleeding; they carry similar risks and require proper assessment before administration.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Topical applies to skin or mucous surfaces broadly; gum/jaw placement is specific to buccal, not the general external or mucosal topical category.

Choice B reason: Oral means swallowed; buccal drugs stay in the mouth for absorption, avoiding the digestive tract, making this an incorrect route classification.

Choice C reason: Buccal involves placement between gum and cheek; it allows direct mucosal absorption into the bloodstream, bypassing first-pass metabolism effectively.

Choice D reason: Sublingual is under the tongue; gum/jaw specifies buccal, as sublingual targets a different oral site with distinct absorption dynamics.

A. 31 gtts/min B. 62 gtts/min C. 125 gtts/min D. 250 gtts/min

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: 31 gtts/min assumes 250 mL over 4 hours with 15 gtts/mL; this halves the rate, underdelivering vancomycin, risking subtherapeutic levels and ineffective bacterial killing over the prescribed 2-hour infusion time.

Choice B reason: 62 gtts/min is correct; 250 mL over 2 hours is 125 mL/hr, times 15 gtts/mL equals 1875 gtts total, divided by 120 minutes yields 62 gtts/min, ensuring proper antibiotic delivery.

Choice C reason: 125 gtts/min doubles the rate; 250 mL in 1 hour with 15 gtts/mL is too fast, risking vancomycin toxicity, including renal damage, and exceeding safe infusion guidelines for IVPB.

Choice D reason: 250 gtts/min assumes 250 mL in 30 minutes; this dangerously rapid rate could cause vancomycin-induced red man syndrome or cardiovascular overload, far beyond the ordered 2-hour infusion duration.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Why does the nurse administer lorazepam intramuscularly (IM) to the patient rather than into the subcutaneous tissue?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse explains to a client that the drug administration of a medication is to be placed between the gum and jaw. By which route is the nurse administering this medication?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The physician orders vancomycin 500 mg in 250 mL of D5W IVPB daily to infuse over 2 hours. Tubing drop factor is 15 gtts/mL. Calculate the flow rate in drops per minute.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is going to administer a medication that must be crushed for the patient to take it. This medication is best given to the patient by:

The nurse caring for a patient without any religious affiliation who was admitted 2 days ago with a severe gastrointestinal infection encounters the hospital chaplain who wants to pray with the patient. The most appropriate response by the nurse is:

A patient is scheduled to have biofeedback therapy for migraine headaches. On arrival to the clinic, the patient appears anxious and fearful and tells the nurse that she does not want electric shocks. The most reassuring response by the nurse is:

The nurse is to administer a nephrotoxic medication to the patient. Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the patient should receive a reduced dosage of the drug?

The patient is admitted to the cardiac unit. Everyone admitted to the cardiac unit will have an EKG done unless otherwise ordered. This is an example of which type of order?

A patient in pain requests the prescribed pain medication, which is an opioid. Which nursing assessment is essential before administering the opioid?

Which assessment finding indicates that the patient is at risk from polypharmacy? (Select all that apply.)

When the nurse brings pills to the patient, the patient is unable to hold the paper cup with the medications. What should the nurse do?