MAC Medication Storage and Handling 3

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of maintaining a daily medication temperature log for storage areas?

Accepted Answer

To document that storage temperatures remain within required ranges for safety and regulatory compliance

Answer

To track which medications are the most expensive to replace

Answer

To record which staff members handled each medication during their shift

Answer

To count the total number of doses administered per day

Question 2

A liquid medication appears cloudy when it was previously clear. What should the MAC do?

Accepted Answer

Do not administer it and immediately report the finding to a supervisor or pharmacist

Answer

Administer it and note the appearance change in the MAR

Answer

Shake the bottle vigorously to restore its normal appearance

Answer

Dilute it with sterile water before administering

Question 3

Why is a controlled substance count conducted at every shift change?

Accepted Answer

To ensure accountability and detect any discrepancies or potential medication diversion

Answer

To determine which controlled substances need to be reordered from the pharmacy

Answer

To verify that controlled substances are stored at the correct temperature

Answer

To update the MAR with the current controlled substance inventory

Question 4

Which medications should be stored separately and clearly labeled to prevent accidental mix-ups?

Accepted Answer

Medications with similar names or look-alike packaging (LASA medications)

Answer

Medications sourced from different pharmaceutical manufacturers

Answer

Generic medications stored separately from brand-name equivalents

Answer

Medications prescribed by different attending physicians

Question 5

How should medications brought into the facility by a resident from home be handled?

Accepted Answer

Handled per facility policy, typically stored separately, documented, and verified by a nurse or pharmacist before use

Answer

Combined with the facility's medication supply for efficiency and cost savings

Answer

Returned to the resident's family or discarded immediately upon discovery

Answer

Administered at the MAC's discretion if they recognize the medication

Question 6

What is the general rule regarding removing a medication from its original labeled container for storage?

Accepted Answer

Medications should not be removed from original labeled packaging; follow facility policy strictly

Answer

Place it in any available container and label it with only the drug name

Answer

Administer it immediately since it has already been removed from original packaging

Answer

Return it to the dispensing pharmacy for repackaging at the next opportunity

Question 7

What information must be clearly visible on all individual medication storage containers for residents?

Accepted Answer

Drug name, dose/strength, resident name, and expiration date

Answer

The name of the nurse who ordered the medication and the ordering date

Answer

Medication cost, insurance billing code, and manufacturer contact information

Answer

Manufacturer's lot number and country of origin only