Regulations and Standards Flashcards

What is the correct procedure when a medication technician cannot locate a resident's regularly scheduled medication?

Answer: Notify the charge nurse and contact the pharmacy for an emergency supply

When a medication is unavailable, the charge nurse must be notified and the pharmacy contacted to obtain the medication through proper channels.

Which of the following best describes 'PRN' medication orders?

Answer: Medications given only when a specific condition or symptom is present

PRN (pro re nata, meaning 'as needed') orders allow administration of a medication only when the specified condition, such as pain or nausea, is present.

A facility's policy requires medication technicians to wash their hands before each medication pass. This policy is grounded in which standard?

Answer: Standard precautions and infection control guidelines

Hand hygiene before medication administration is required by standard precautions and infection control guidelines to prevent cross-contamination and healthcare-associated infections.

If a long-term care resident experiences a suspected adverse drug reaction, the medication technician's FIRST action should be to:

Answer: Stop the medication and notify the supervising nurse immediately

When an adverse reaction is suspected, the medication technician must cease administration and immediately notify the supervising nurse to initiate the appropriate clinical response.

Which of the following statements about medication expiration dates is correct under regulatory standards?

Answer: Expired medications must be removed from use and disposed of per facility policy

Regulatory standards and facility policies require that expired medications be promptly removed from the medication supply and disposed of properly to ensure resident safety.

The right to privacy during medication administration is protected under which federal regulation?

Answer: CMS Conditions of Participation and HIPAA

CMS Conditions of Participation and HIPAA together protect residents' right to privacy during care activities, including medication administration.

Which of the following is the medication technician's responsibility when receiving a new medication order from a nurse?

Answer: Verify the order is transcribed correctly on the MAR before administering

The medication technician must confirm the order is accurately reflected on the MAR to prevent transcription errors before administering the medication.