MACE Legal and Ethical Issues 3

Question 1

Which task is outside the scope of practice for a certified medication aide?

Accepted Answer

Administering intravenous (IV) medications

Answer

Giving oral medications as prescribed

Answer

Applying topical medications to the skin

Answer

Documenting medication administration in the resident's record

Question 2

A physician calls a medication aide directly and gives a verbal medication order. What should the aide do?

Accepted Answer

Follow facility policy, which typically requires a licensed nurse to take the verbal order

Answer

Accept the order and administer the medication immediately

Answer

Refuse all verbal orders under any circumstances

Answer

Document the verbal order independently and administer without nurse involvement

Question 3

What is the potential consequence for a medication aide who practices outside their authorized scope of practice?

Accepted Answer

Loss of certification and potential civil or criminal legal liability

Answer

A verbal warning from the facility supervisor

Answer

Completion of additional continuing education hours

Answer

Temporary suspension from duties pending a review

Question 4

A medication aide discovers that a coworker is diverting (stealing) controlled substance medications. What should the aide do?

Accepted Answer

Report it immediately to a supervisor or the appropriate authority

Answer

Confront the coworker directly and give them a chance to stop

Answer

Keep it confidential since it does not directly harm an individual patient

Answer

Continue monitoring and only report if the diversion happens again

Question 5

Which best describes the concept of 'duty of care' as it applies to a medication aide?

Accepted Answer

A legal obligation to provide competent care within their authorized scope of practice

Answer

A voluntary commitment to go above and beyond normally required duties

Answer

The requirement to personally care for all patients in the facility equally

Answer

A promise made during certification to follow only the facility's internal policies

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of defining a medication aide's scope of practice?

Accepted Answer

To define the specific tasks a medication aide is legally authorized to perform

Answer

To list all medications a medication aide is able to identify by name

Answer

To outline the types of facilities where a medication aide is permitted to work

Answer

To describe the qualifications required for a medication aide to receive a promotion

Question 7

When a medication aide is uncertain whether a specific task falls within their scope of practice, what should they do?

Accepted Answer

Consult their supervisor or review state regulations before proceeding

Answer

Perform the task if they personally feel confident in their ability to do it

Answer

Ask an experienced coworker to perform the task on their behalf

Answer

Attempt the task and thoroughly document any complications that arise