MACE Medication Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident refuses their scheduled medication. What is the FIRST action the medication aide should take?
- Crush the medication and place it in food without telling the resident
- Document the refusal and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Insist the resident take the medication immediately
- Skip the dose without any documentation
Correct answer: Document the refusal and notify the nurse
Refusing medication is a resident's right; the aide must document the refusal and report it to the nurse for follow-up.
Question 2: Which route of administration delivers medication directly into a muscle?
- Subcutaneous
- Intramuscular (Correct answer)
- Intravenous
- Intradermal
Correct answer: Intramuscular
Intramuscular (IM) injections deposit medication into muscle tissue for absorption.
Question 3: When pouring liquid medication, the medication aide should read the dose at which point on the cup?
- The top of the meniscus
- The bottom of the meniscus (Correct answer)
- The middle of the cup
- At eye level from above
Correct answer: The bottom of the meniscus
Liquid medications are measured at the bottom of the meniscus (curved surface) at eye level for accuracy.
Question 4: A sublingual medication should be placed:
- Between the cheek and gum
- Under the tongue (Correct answer)
- On top of the tongue
- Behind the lower teeth
Correct answer: Under the tongue
Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue where they dissolve and absorb rapidly into the bloodstream.
Question 5: Which of the following is a sign of a potential allergic reaction to a medication?
- Increased appetite
- Urticaria (hives) and itching (Correct answer)
- Improved sleep
- Decreased heart rate
Correct answer: Urticaria (hives) and itching
Hives and itching are common signs of an allergic reaction and require immediate notification of the nurse.
Question 6: A medication aide discovers that a medication error was made. What should be done FIRST?
- Wait to see if the resident has any symptoms
- Notify the charge nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Document the error in the resident's chart without telling anyone
- Give additional medication to correct the error
Correct answer: Notify the charge nurse immediately
Patient safety requires that the charge nurse be notified immediately so corrective action can be taken.
Question 7: Controlled substances must be counted:
- Once per month
- At the end of every shift by two licensed staff (Correct answer)
- Only when a discrepancy is suspected
- By the medication aide alone each morning
Correct answer: At the end of every shift by two licensed staff
Controlled substances require a witnessed count by two authorized staff at every shift change to prevent diversion.
MACE Medication Administration 2
A resident refuses their scheduled medication.
What is the FIRST action the medication aide should take?