Ok, I think this should do it. I was just going by your examples.
VB Code:
  1. Private Sub CommandButton3_Click()
  2.  
  3.     Dim con As ADODB.Connection
  4.     Set con = New ADODB.Connection
  5.     con.Open "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=c:\exercise.mdb"
  6.     If Not TypeName(rst) = "Nothing" Then
  7.         'something
  8.         If rst.State = adStateOpen Then
  9.             'open
  10.             rst.Close
  11.             Set rst = Execute_SQL_ReturnRecordSet("Select * from Item", False, "C:\exercise.mdb")
  12.         Else
  13.             'closed
  14.             Set rst = Execute_SQL_ReturnRecordSet("Select * from Item", False, "C:\exercise.mdb")
  15.         End If
  16.     Else
  17.         'nothing
  18.         Set rst = Execute_SQL_ReturnRecordSet("Select * from Item", False, "C:\exercise.mdb")
  19.     End If
  20.     TextBox3.Text = rst.Fields("Qty")
  21.  
  22. End Sub