MACE Medication Knowledge 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A medication aide finds an unlabeled medication cup at a resident's bedside. What is the correct action?
- Administer it since it is already prepared
- Ask another aide what it was
- Discard it and prepare a new dose with proper labeling (Correct answer)
- Return it to the medication cart for later use
Correct answer: Discard it and prepare a new dose with proper labeling
Unlabeled medications must never be administered; they should be discarded and a new properly labeled dose prepared.
Question 2: Which class of antibiotics should be avoided in patients with a known penicillin allergy due to the risk of cross-reactivity?
- Macrolides
- Cephalosporins (Correct answer)
- Fluoroquinolones
- Tetracyclines
Correct answer: Cephalosporins
Cephalosporins share a similar beta-lactam ring structure with penicillin and carry a small cross-reactivity risk.
Question 3: A resident is prescribed a statin medication. Which serious side effect should the medication aide monitor for and report?
- Constipation
- Muscle pain or weakness (myopathy) (Correct answer)
- Insomnia
- Increased appetite
Correct answer: Muscle pain or weakness (myopathy)
Statins can cause myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, a serious muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney damage.
Question 4: A medication order reads 'metoprolol 25 mg PO QD.' If available tablets are 12.5 mg, how many tablets should be given?
- 0.5 tablet
- 1 tablet
- 2 tablets (Correct answer)
- 4 tablets
Correct answer: 2 tablets
25 mg ÷ 12.5 mg per tablet = 2 tablets needed to deliver the prescribed dose.
Question 5: Which medication requires blood glucose monitoring before administration?
- Levothyroxine
- Regular insulin (Correct answer)
- Amlodipine
- Omeprazole
Correct answer: Regular insulin
Insulin doses are adjusted based on current blood glucose levels to prevent hypoglycemia or inadequate control.
Question 6: A resident on long-term corticosteroid therapy is at increased risk for which condition?
- Hypoglycemia
- Osteoporosis (Correct answer)
- Hyperkalemia
- Bradycardia
Correct answer: Osteoporosis
Chronic corticosteroid use decreases bone density by impairing calcium absorption and increasing bone resorption.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of reconciling a resident's medication list during a care transition?
- To reduce the number of medications the resident takes
- To prevent medication errors from duplications or omissions across care settings (Correct answer)
- To update the pharmacy's billing records
- To allow the aide to reorder expired medications
Correct answer: To prevent medication errors from duplications or omissions across care settings
Medication reconciliation ensures an accurate, current medication list is maintained when a resident moves between care settings.
MACE Medication Knowledge 5
A medication aide finds an unlabeled medication cup at a resident's bedside.
What is the correct action?