CMT - Certified Medication Technician Patient Safety and Rights Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident has a new order for an antipsychotic medication. Before administering the first dose, the Certified Medication Technician (CMT) must ensure which of the following is completed?
- The resident's vital signs have been taken within the last hour.
- A family member has been notified of the new medication.
- Informed consent for the medication has been obtained and documented. (Correct answer)
- The medication has been added to the automated dispensing machine.
Correct answer: Informed consent for the medication has been obtained and documented.
Informed consent is a critical patient right. Before administering psychotropic medications, the patient or their legal representative must be educated about the medication's purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives, and they must agree to the treatment. This consent must be properly documented.
Question 2: While preparing a resident's morning medications, a CMT notices that the medication order for a blood pressure drug includes the parameter to "hold if pulse is less than 60." The resident's pulse is 55 bpm. What is the CMT's most appropriate initial action?
- Administer the medication as ordered to maintain the schedule.
- Ask the resident if they feel dizzy before giving the medication.
- Cut the pill in half to give a lower dose.
- Hold the medication and immediately report the finding to the supervising nurse. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Hold the medication and immediately report the finding to the supervising nurse.
When a prescribed medication has specific parameters for administration, such as vital sign measurements, the CMT must adhere to them strictly. A pulse of 55 is below the specified parameter of 60. The correct and safe action is to withhold the medication and report the vital sign and situation to the supervising nurse for further direction.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Six Rights' of Medication Administration?
- Right Patient
- Right Cost (Correct answer)
- Right Dose
- Right Documentation
Correct answer: Right Cost
The 'Six Rights' of Medication Administration are a fundamental safety checklist for medication passers. They are: Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Time, Right Route, and Right Documentation. Right Cost is not part of this essential safety check.
Question 4: A resident tells the CMT, "I don't want to take that pill today. It makes me feel sick." Which action by the CMT demonstrates respect for the patient's rights?
- Telling the resident they must take it because the doctor ordered it.
- Documenting the refusal and reporting it to the nurse according to facility policy.
- Mixing the crushed pill in applesauce to hide the taste. (Correct answer)
- Waiting until the resident is distracted and then administering the medication.
Correct answer: Mixing the crushed pill in applesauce to hide the taste.
Competent patients have the right to refuse treatment, including medications. The CMT's professional responsibility is to respect this right. They should not force or trick the resident. The proper procedure is to document the resident's refusal and their stated reason, and then report this information to the supervising nurse promptly.
Question 5: During a medication pass, a resident's family member pulls the CMT aside and asks for the names and purposes of all the medications their loved one is taking. How should the CMT respond to protect the resident's rights?
- Provide a complete list of the medications and their uses to the family member.
- Tell the family member they are not allowed to have that information.
- Refer the family member to the supervising nurse to discuss information sharing, in accordance with HIPAA and facility policy. (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident for permission in front of the family member before sharing the information.
Correct answer: Refer the family member to the supervising nurse to discuss information sharing, in accordance with HIPAA and facility policy.
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a patient's health information is protected. A CMT cannot disclose this information without the patient's consent or as permitted by law. The appropriate action is to refer the family member to the licensed nurse, who can verify if a release of information is on file and handle the request according to legal and facility guidelines.
Question 6: A CMT discovers they administered a medication to the wrong resident. After ensuring the immediate safety of both residents involved, what is the CMT's next critical responsibility?
- Ask the other residents not to say anything about the mistake.
- Wait until the end of the shift to see if any adverse effects occur.
- Complete another resident's medication pass to stay on schedule.
- Report the medication error to the supervising nurse immediately. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Report the medication error to the supervising nurse immediately.
Patient safety is the highest priority. After a medication error occurs, it must be reported immediately to the supervising nurse or appropriate authority. This allows for prompt assessment of the patient who received the wrong medication and the patient who missed their dose, and for the initiation of corrective actions and proper documentation.
CMT - Certified Medication Technician Patient Safety and Rights Questions and Answers 1
A resident has a new order for an antipsychotic medication.
Before administering the first dose, the Certified Medication Technician (CMT) must ensure which of the following is completed?