CCS Medication Safety & Administration 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A medication is prescribed 'QID.' How many times per day should it be given?
- Once
- Twice
- Three times
- Four times (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Four times
QID stands for 'quater in die,' meaning four times daily.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a high-alert medication requiring extra caution?
- Antacids
- Vitamin C supplements
- Anticoagulants such as warfarin (Correct answer)
- Saline eye drops
Correct answer: Anticoagulants such as warfarin
Anticoagulants like warfarin have a narrow therapeutic range and can cause serious bleeding if dosed incorrectly.
Question 3: What action should be taken if a medication is dropped on the floor before administration?
- Pick it up and give it anyway
- Rinse it with water and give it
- Discard it and notify the nurse for a replacement (Correct answer)
- Return it to the original container
Correct answer: Discard it and notify the nurse for a replacement
A dropped medication is considered contaminated and must be discarded; a replacement should be obtained through proper channels.
Question 4: A sublingual medication should be placed:
- Swallowed with water
- Under the tongue (Correct answer)
- Applied to the skin
- Inserted into the ear
Correct answer: Under the tongue
Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue where they dissolve and absorb quickly into the bloodstream.
Question 5: What is a common side effect of opioid pain medications that care staff should monitor for?
- Increased urination
- Constipation and decreased respiratory rate (Correct answer)
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased appetite
Correct answer: Constipation and decreased respiratory rate
Opioids commonly cause constipation and can dangerously suppress respiratory rate, requiring close monitoring.
Question 6: If a resident spits out an oral medication, what is the appropriate response?
- Re-administer the same pill
- Document it as given on the MAR
- Notify the nurse and document the incident (Correct answer)
- Wait and try again without telling anyone
Correct answer: Notify the nurse and document the incident
If a medication is expelled, the nurse must be informed and the event documented, as the resident did not receive the full dose.
Question 7: Which 'right' of medication administration addresses ensuring the correct dose is given?
- Right time
- Right route
- Right dose (Correct answer)
- Right resident
Correct answer: Right dose
The 'right dose' is one of the five rights of medication administration, ensuring neither too much nor too little is given.
CCS Medication Safety & Administration 3
A medication is prescribed 'QID.' How many times per day should it be given?