ALF Medication Management Principles 2

Question 1

A resident's medication label reads 'Take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily.' The resident asks the med aide to crush the tablet into applesauce. What must be verified FIRST?

Accepted Answer

That the pharmacist or prescriber has confirmed the medication is safe to crush

Answer

That the resident signs a waiver accepting responsibility

Answer

That the applesauce is sugar-free

Answer

That a family member approves the change

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a medication error that must be documented and reported in an assisted living facility?

Accepted Answer

A dose is given two hours after the scheduled time, outside the facility's allowable window

Answer

A resident refuses a scheduled dose and the refusal is charted

Answer

A PRN medication is not given because the resident had no symptoms

Answer

A medication is held per a prescriber's written order

Question 3

Under most state regulations, who may perform the initial assessment to determine whether a resident can safely self-administer medications?

Accepted Answer

A licensed health care professional, such as a nurse or physician

Answer

The resident's family

Answer

Any direct care staff member

Answer

The facility's dietary manager

Question 4

A medication administration record (MAR) shows initials in a time slot but the medication cart count reveals the dose was never removed. This discrepancy is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

A documentation error suggesting the dose was charted but not given

Answer

An acceptable variance requiring no follow-up

Answer

Proof the resident refused the medication

Answer

Evidence the pharmacy shorted the delivery

Question 5

Which practice BEST reduces the risk of medication diversion of controlled substances in an assisted living facility?

Accepted Answer

Shift-to-shift counts of controlled substances by two staff members with documented reconciliation

Answer

Storing controlled substances with regular medications to avoid drawing attention

Answer

Allowing only the administrator to handle narcotics

Answer

Keeping controlled substance records for 30 days only

Question 6

A resident returns from a hospital stay with a new medication list. What medication management process must occur before administration resumes?

Accepted Answer

Medication reconciliation comparing the new orders against the current MAR

Answer

Disposal of all medications the resident used before hospitalization

Answer

A 72-hour hold on all medications

Answer

Approval by the resident council

Question 7

Which storage practice violates standard medication management requirements in assisted living?

Accepted Answer

A medication cart left unlocked and unattended in the hallway during rounds

Answer

Refrigerated medications kept in a locked, dedicated medication refrigerator

Answer

Topical creams stored separately from oral medications

Answer

Medications labeled with the resident's name and prescriber's directions