MACE Medication Safety 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident is prescribed a controlled substance. What additional documentation is typically required?
- A photo of the medication
- Signature on a controlled substance count sheet (Correct answer)
- A verbal order from the physician
- An updated allergy list
Correct answer: Signature on a controlled substance count sheet
Controlled substances require a count sheet with signatures to track every dose dispensed and administered, ensuring accountability.
Question 2: Which route of administration delivers medication through the respiratory tract?
- Oral
- Inhalation (Correct answer)
- Sublingual
- Topical
Correct answer: Inhalation
Inhalation delivers medication directly to the lungs via inhalers or nebulizers, providing rapid onset for conditions like asthma.
Question 3: What should the medication aide do if a medication has expired?
- Give it if it is only one day past the date
- Do not administer it and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Return it to the resident's drawer for later
- Administer it and report to the pharmacist next week
Correct answer: Do not administer it and notify the nurse
Expired medications must never be given; potency and safety cannot be guaranteed after the expiration date, and the nurse must be notified.
Question 4: A resident taking a blood thinner (anticoagulant) reports unusual bruising. The medication aide should:
- Reassure the resident it is normal and continue medications
- Document the observation and report it to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Hold the medication without telling anyone
- Ask another resident if they experience the same thing
Correct answer: Document the observation and report it to the nurse immediately
Unusual bruising can indicate anticoagulant toxicity; the nurse must be notified immediately so the resident can be evaluated.
Question 5: Which storage condition is required for most medications unless otherwise specified?
- Stored in bright sunlight for visibility
- Stored at room temperature in a locked, secure area (Correct answer)
- Stored in the resident's personal bathroom cabinet
- Stored in the refrigerator at all times
Correct answer: Stored at room temperature in a locked, secure area
Most medications should be stored at room temperature in a locked, secure area to maintain efficacy and prevent unauthorized access.
Question 6: What is the purpose of documenting medications immediately after administration?
- To record the medication aide's work hours
- To prevent double-dosing and provide a legal record of care (Correct answer)
- To remind the next aide what medications are left
- To calculate the monthly pharmacy bill
Correct answer: To prevent double-dosing and provide a legal record of care
Immediate post-administration documentation prevents double-dosing and creates a legally accurate record of care given.
Question 7: A resident who normally takes pills is now prescribed the same medication in liquid form. The medication aide should:
- Give both forms to ensure the right dose
- Verify the correct dose in liquid form with the MAR and nurse before administering (Correct answer)
- Assume the dose is the same as the pill and give it
- Refuse to give the liquid form and request the pill form instead
Correct answer: Verify the correct dose in liquid form with the MAR and nurse before administering
Liquid medication doses often differ from solid forms; the MAR must be checked and the nurse consulted to confirm the correct liquid dose.
MACE Medication Safety 5
A resident is prescribed a controlled substance.
What additional documentation is typically required?