MACE Medication Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which condition must be reported to the nurse BEFORE administering a cardiac medication?
- Resident reports feeling hungry
- Resident's pulse is below 60 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- Resident has a mild headache
- Resident's temperature is 98.6°F
Correct answer: Resident's pulse is below 60 beats per minute
Many cardiac medications such as digoxin are held if the apical pulse is below 60 bpm, as the drug can further slow the heart.
Question 2: When removing a medication from a blister pack, the medication aide drops the pill on the floor. What should they do?
- Pick it up, wipe it off, and give it to the resident
- Pick it up and return it to the blister pack
- Discard it and obtain a replacement dose per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Give the resident half a dose instead
Correct answer: Discard it and obtain a replacement dose per facility policy
A dropped medication is considered contaminated and must be discarded; a replacement dose should be obtained following facility protocol.
Question 3: An enteric-coated tablet is ordered for a resident. The medication aide should:
- Crush it to make it easier to swallow
- Give it whole without crushing or chewing (Correct answer)
- Dissolve it in juice before giving
- Split it in half if the resident has difficulty swallowing
Correct answer: Give it whole without crushing or chewing
Enteric coatings protect the stomach or the drug itself; crushing or splitting destroys this protection and can cause harm.
Question 4: What information should be confirmed on a medication label before administration? (Select best answer)
- Manufacturer's name and country of origin
- Drug name, dose, expiration date, and resident name (Correct answer)
- Pharmacy address and prescriber's license number
- Color and shape of the medication only
Correct answer: Drug name, dose, expiration date, and resident name
Before administering any medication, verify the drug name, dose, expiration date, and match it to the correct resident's MAR.
Question 5: A resident is prescribed a medication patch. Where should used patches be disposed of?
- Placed in the regular trash uncovered
- Folded sticky-side together and disposed per facility hazardous waste policy (Correct answer)
- Left on the resident's bedside table
- Flushed down the toilet immediately
Correct answer: Folded sticky-side together and disposed per facility hazardous waste policy
Used medication patches still contain active drug and must be folded sticky-side together and disposed of safely per facility policy to prevent accidental exposure.
Question 6: Which of the following is an early sign of an allergic reaction to a medication?
- Increased appetite
- Skin rash or hives (Correct answer)
- Improved sleep
- Lower blood pressure only
Correct answer: Skin rash or hives
Skin rash or hives (urticaria) are common early signs of an allergic drug reaction that require immediate reporting to the nurse.
Question 7: What is the correct action if the medication aide is unsure about a medication order?
- Administer the medication anyway and watch the resident closely
- Ask another medication aide their opinion
- Hold the medication and clarify with the nurse or pharmacist before giving (Correct answer)
- Skip the medication and document it as refused
Correct answer: Hold the medication and clarify with the nurse or pharmacist before giving
If there is any doubt about a medication order, the aide must withhold the medication and seek clarification from a nurse or pharmacist.
MACE Medication Safety 4
Which condition must be reported to the nurse BEFORE administering a cardiac medication?