IHSS Medication & Health Monitoring 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A recipient's physician prescribed a new blood pressure medication. As an IHSS provider, what is your role regarding this medication?
- Administer the medication as directed by the physician
- Remind the recipient to take it and assist as authorized by their care plan (Correct answer)
- Decide the best time for the recipient to take the medication
- Adjust the dosage if the recipient reports side effects
Correct answer: Remind the recipient to take it and assist as authorized by their care plan
IHSS providers may remind and assist recipients with medications only as specifically authorized in the care plan.
Question 2: While assisting a recipient, you notice their prescription label says 'take with food' but they want to take it on an empty stomach. What should you do?
- Allow the recipient to decide since they have the right to self-determination
- Remind the recipient of the label instructions and encourage them to follow it (Correct answer)
- Contact the pharmacy to get the instructions changed
- Refuse to assist with the medication entirely
Correct answer: Remind the recipient of the label instructions and encourage them to follow it
Providers should remind recipients of label directions while respecting their autonomy, and report concerns to a supervisor if safety is at risk.
Question 3: A recipient takes warfarin (a blood thinner). Which observation should you report to a supervisor immediately?
- The recipient ate a salad with spinach for lunch
- The recipient has unexplained bruising or bleeding gums (Correct answer)
- The recipient forgot to take the medication yesterday
- The recipient stored the medication in a cool, dry place
Correct answer: The recipient has unexplained bruising or bleeding gums
Unusual bruising or bleeding in a warfarin patient is a serious sign that requires immediate reporting.
Question 4: What does the term 'PRN' on a medication label mean?
- Take every morning before noon
- Take as needed (Correct answer)
- Take with food and water
- Prior to regular nighttime dose
Correct answer: Take as needed
PRN is a Latin abbreviation for 'pro re nata,' meaning the medication is taken only when necessary.
Question 5: A recipient says they stopped taking their insulin because 'it makes them feel bad.' What is the most appropriate response?
- Support their decision and document it
- Tell them they must take it or they will get very sick
- Encourage them to share this concern with their doctor and report it to your supervisor (Correct answer)
- Contact their doctor directly to report the non-compliance
Correct answer: Encourage them to share this concern with their doctor and report it to your supervisor
Providers should encourage recipients to speak with their healthcare provider and report significant health concerns through proper channels.
Question 6: How should a provider handle a recipient's medications that are stored in a pill organizer?
- Refill the organizer from the prescription bottles as part of the care plan if authorized (Correct answer)
- Refill it whenever it looks low without checking the care plan
- Never touch a pill organizer under any circumstances
- Contact the pharmacy to request pre-filled organizers
Correct answer: Refill the organizer from the prescription bottles as part of the care plan if authorized
Assisting with a pill organizer is only appropriate when it is specifically listed as an authorized task in the recipient's IHSS care plan.
Question 7: A recipient's blood sugar reading is 48 mg/dL. What should you do first?
- Wait 30 minutes and recheck the reading
- Give them a sugary drink or snack immediately if they are conscious and able to swallow (Correct answer)
- Call 911 right away without doing anything else
- Document the reading and continue with care tasks
Correct answer: Give them a sugary drink or snack immediately if they are conscious and able to swallow
A blood sugar of 48 mg/dL is dangerously low; if the person is conscious and can swallow, give fast-acting sugar immediately and then seek medical help.
IHSS Medication & Health Monitoring 2
A recipient's physician prescribed a new blood pressure medication.
As an IHSS provider, what is your role regarding this medication?