MACE Medication Administration and Reporting 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A medication has been removed from a blister pack but the resident is now asleep and cannot be awakened for the dose. What should the medication aide do?
- Leave the medication on the bedside table for the resident to take later
- Return the medication to the blister pack for next use
- Discard the medication, document, and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Ask a family member to administer it later
Correct answer: Discard the medication, document, and notify the nurse
Once a medication is removed from its packaging, it cannot be returned; it must be discarded and the situation documented with nurse notification.
Question 2: What is the correct technique when using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) without a spacer?
- Hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the open mouth, exhale first, then inhale slowly while pressing (Correct answer)
- Place the mouthpiece directly between the teeth and inhale rapidly
- Shake the inhaler, press while exhaling forcefully into the device
- Hold breath for 2 seconds immediately before pressing the canister
Correct answer: Hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the open mouth, exhale first, then inhale slowly while pressing
The correct MDI technique is to exhale fully, hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the open mouth, then slowly inhale while pressing the canister.
Question 3: Which of the following information must always be on a medication label before administration?
- Resident's Social Security number
- Name of the medication, dose, and expiration date (Correct answer)
- The prescribing physician's home address
- The pharmacy's profit margin information
Correct answer: Name of the medication, dose, and expiration date
A medication label must include at minimum the resident's name, medication name, dose, route, frequency, and expiration date.
Question 4: A resident on an anticoagulant medication develops unexpected bruising and nosebleeds. The medication aide should:
- Withhold the next dose without telling anyone
- Document the findings and report them to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Reassure the resident this is normal and continue administering
- Apply ice packs and await the resident's next scheduled physician visit
Correct answer: Document the findings and report them to the nurse immediately
Bruising and nosebleeds in a resident on anticoagulants are signs of potential bleeding complications that must be reported to the nurse promptly.
Question 5: When documenting medication administration on the MAR, when should the entry be made?
- At the end of the shift when all medications have been given
- Immediately after administering the medication (Correct answer)
- Before administering the medication to save time
- Only when the supervising nurse requests documentation
Correct answer: Immediately after administering the medication
Documentation on the MAR must occur immediately after administration — never before — to prevent double-dosing or missed-dose errors.
Question 6: Which route of administration bypasses the digestive system and delivers medication directly into the bloodstream?
- Oral
- Sublingual
- Rectal
- Intravenous (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Intravenous
The intravenous (IV) route delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, completely bypassing the gastrointestinal system.
Question 7: A medication order reads 'Metformin 500 mg PO BID with meals.' How many times per day should this medication be given?
- Once daily
- Twice daily (Correct answer)
- Three times daily
- Four times daily
Correct answer: Twice daily
BID is a Latin abbreviation for 'bis in die,' meaning twice a day, so the medication is given two times daily with meals.
MACE Medication Administration and Reporting 3
A medication has been removed from a blister pack but the resident is now asleep and cannot be awakened for the dose.
What should the medication aide do?