ARF ARF Medication Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of medication assistance may ARF staff legally provide to residents?
- Assisting with self-administration of medications as directed by the prescriber (Correct answer)
- Administering injections and IV medications
- Adjusting medication dosages based on resident request
- Prescribing over-the-counter medications as part of the care plan
Correct answer: Assisting with self-administration of medications as directed by the prescriber
ARF staff are permitted only to assist residents with the self-administration of medications; they may not administer medications or adjust dosages.
Question 2: How must prescription medications be stored in an ARF?
- Securely stored in a locked location accessible only to authorized staff (Correct answer)
- In the resident's unlocked bedside table for easy access
- In a communal medicine cabinet accessible to all residents
- In the facility's kitchen refrigerator regardless of storage instructions
Correct answer: Securely stored in a locked location accessible only to authorized staff
All prescription medications must be stored in a locked, secure location with access limited to authorized staff.
Question 3: What document authorizes ARF staff to assist a resident with medication self-administration?
- A written physician's order or prescription label with clear instructions (Correct answer)
- A verbal request from the resident's family member
- A staff member's professional judgment based on the resident's condition
- An informal agreement between the administrator and the resident
Correct answer: A written physician's order or prescription label with clear instructions
Medication assistance must be based on a written physician's order or the instructions on the prescription label.
Question 4: What must ARF staff do when a resident refuses to take a prescribed medication?
- Document the refusal and notify the prescribing physician (Correct answer)
- Administer the medication covertly to ensure compliance
- Discharge the resident if refusals are repeated
- Consult the facility administrator before taking any action
Correct answer: Document the refusal and notify the prescribing physician
Staff must document any medication refusal and promptly notify the prescribing physician so the treatment plan can be reviewed.
Question 5: What is a Medication Administration Record (MAR) used for in an ARF?
- To track each resident's medications, doses, and times of administration assistance (Correct answer)
- To record staff medication errors for DSS reporting
- To document only medications that require refrigeration
- To log the cost of medications billed to each resident
Correct answer: To track each resident's medications, doses, and times of administration assistance
The MAR tracks each resident's medications, prescribed doses, and the times at which staff assisted with administration.
Question 6: Who is responsible for disposing of expired or discontinued medications in an ARF?
- Authorized staff following facility policy and applicable disposal regulations (Correct answer)
- Residents may dispose of their own medications at any time
- Medications are returned directly to the prescribing physician
- A licensed pharmacist must be called to the facility for each disposal
Correct answer: Authorized staff following facility policy and applicable disposal regulations
Authorized ARF staff must handle disposal of expired or discontinued medications following the facility's written policy and state/federal disposal requirements.
ARF ARF Medication Management 1
What type of medication assistance may ARF staff legally provide to residents?