Patient Care & Communication Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real MACE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Care & Communication Skills flashcards as text
A resident who is usually alert appears unusually drowsy before medication administration. The aide should:
Answer: Hold the medications and report the change in condition to the nurse
A sudden change in level of consciousness is a significant clinical change requiring nursing assessment before any medication is given.
What should a medication aide do if a resident's identification bracelet is missing?
Answer: Ask the resident their name and verify against the MAR before giving any medication
Two-identifier verification is required; the aide should ask the resident to state their name and verify it against the medication administration record.
When caring for a resident who speaks limited English, the medication aide should:
Answer: Use an approved interpreter, visual aids, or translation services
Using approved interpreters or translation tools ensures accurate communication and respects the resident's right to understand their care.
A resident states they are allergic to penicillin and the aide notices the medication to be given is amoxicillin. What is the correct action?
Answer: Hold the medication and notify the nurse immediately
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic, and cross-reactivity is possible; the nurse must be alerted before administration.
How should a medication aide respond when a resident asks, 'What is this pill for?'
Answer: Explain the medication's general purpose in simple, understandable language
Residents have the right to know what medications they are receiving; the aide should provide a simple, accurate explanation.
A resident expresses fear about a new medication, saying 'I don't want to take something I've never had before.' The best response is:
Answer: Acknowledge the concern, provide reassurance, and involve the nurse if needed
Validating the resident's concern and involving nursing staff respects autonomy while ensuring the care plan is followed appropriately.
Which of the following is an example of therapeutic communication?
Answer: 'I understand this is difficult. Can you tell me more about what concerns you?'
Therapeutic communication uses empathy and open-ended questions to encourage residents to express feelings and concerns.