Safety and Rights Flashcards

A resident on your medication pass list is alert and oriented. When you offer them their scheduled blood pressure medication, they state, "I don't want to take that pill today. It makes me feel dizzy." What is the medication aide's most appropriate first action?

Answer: Respect the resident's decision, document the refusal on the MAR, and inform the supervising nurse.

Patients have the right to refuse medication. The medication aide's primary responsibility is to respect this right, accurately document the event (including the reason for refusal, if given), and promptly report it to the supervising nurse who can then assess the situation and follow up as needed.

Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Six Rights' of medication administration?

Answer: Right Diagnosis

The universally recognized 'Six Rights' of medication administration are Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Time, Right Route, and Right Documentation. While understanding why a resident is taking a medication is important, 'Right Diagnosis' is not one of the core six safety checks performed immediately before administration.

You are preparing to administer a medication and notice that the name on the prescription label is slightly different from the name on the Medication Administration Record (MAR). What should you do?

Answer: Do not administer the medication and report the discrepancy to the supervising nurse immediately.

Any discrepancy between the medication order, the MAR, and the pharmacy label must be resolved before administration to prevent a medication error. The correct and safest action is to stop and report the issue to the supervising nurse for clarification.

Which of the following medication classes is considered 'high-alert' because it carries a heightened risk of causing significant harm if administered in error?

Answer: Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as warfarin, are considered high-alert medications by organizations like the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). Errors with these drugs, such as giving the wrong dose, can have devastating consequences like severe bleeding.

After administering a PRN (as needed) pain medication to a resident, what is a critical follow-up action for the medication aide?

Answer: Check on the resident within 30-60 minutes to assess their pain level and document the response.

A key part of medication administration, especially for PRN medications, is to evaluate the resident's response to the medication. The medication aide must check on the resident to see if the medication was effective (e.g., if their pain was relieved) and to watch for any adverse effects, documenting these findings appropriately.

A fellow medication aide, who is going on a break, asks you to administer a pill they have already poured into a cup for a resident. What is the correct response?

Answer: Refuse to administer the medication, as you did not prepare it yourself.

A fundamental rule of medication safety is to never administer a medication that you did not prepare yourself. You cannot be certain it is the correct medication, for the right resident, at the right dose. Politely refuse and explain that for safety reasons, the person who prepares a medication must be the one to administer it.