MACE Medication Storage and Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Nitroglycerin tablets must be stored in what type of container to maintain potency?
- A standard plastic pill organizer
- An original dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting cap (Correct answer)
- A clear plastic zip-lock bag
- Any airtight metal container
Correct answer: An original dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting cap
Nitroglycerin is highly sensitive to light, air, heat, and moisture, requiring storage in the original dark (amber) glass bottle with a tight cap to prevent degradation.
Question 2: What is the first step a medication aide should take upon discovering a discrepancy in the controlled substance count?
- Correct the count sheet to match what is on hand
- Wait until the end of the shift to report it
- Report the discrepancy immediately to the supervisor or nurse in charge (Correct answer)
- Assume a coworker made a counting error and recount privately
Correct answer: Report the discrepancy immediately to the supervisor or nurse in charge
Controlled substance discrepancies must be reported immediately to the supervisor or charge nurse, as they may indicate diversion or a documentation error requiring prompt investigation.
Question 3: How long can an opened multi-dose vial (MDV) typically be used safely after first use, according to standard guidelines?
- Until it is empty, regardless of time
- 28 days, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise (Correct answer)
- 7 days maximum
- Until the original expiration date on the vial
Correct answer: 28 days, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise
CDC guidelines recommend discarding multi-dose vials 28 days after first use unless the manufacturer specifies a shorter beyond-use date.
Question 4: Which piece of information is NOT required on a resident's medication container label in a long-term care facility?
- Resident's full name
- Medication name and strength
- The cost of the medication (Correct answer)
- Prescribing physician's name
Correct answer: The cost of the medication
The cost of the medication is not a required label element; required information includes the resident's name, drug name and strength, dose, directions, and prescribing physician.
Question 5: What is the safest practice when measuring liquid oral medications?
- Estimate the amount by eye in a regular cup
- Pour at eye level into a calibrated medicine cup on a flat surface (Correct answer)
- Use a kitchen spoon marked with measurements
- Round up to the nearest tablespoon for ease
Correct answer: Pour at eye level into a calibrated medicine cup on a flat surface
Liquid medications should be poured into a calibrated medicine cup, read at eye level at the meniscus, on a flat surface to ensure accurate dosing.
Question 6: If medications arrive from the pharmacy with visibly damaged or compromised packaging, what is the correct action?
- Accept and use them if the medication inside looks unaffected
- Return them to the pharmacy and document the issue (Correct answer)
- Remove the medication from damaged packaging and store in a new container
- Discard them immediately without notifying the pharmacy
Correct answer: Return them to the pharmacy and document the issue
Damaged packaging may compromise medication integrity and sterility; the medications should be returned to the pharmacy and the issue documented per facility policy.
Question 7: What distinguishes a medication refrigerator from a standard food refrigerator in a care facility?
- It runs at a colder temperature than food refrigerators
- It is dedicated solely to medications and has a monitored, logged temperature (Correct answer)
- It is larger to accommodate bulk medication supplies
- It does not require a lock because it is staff-only
Correct answer: It is dedicated solely to medications and has a monitored, logged temperature
Medication refrigerators must be dedicated to medications only (no food) and must have documented temperature monitoring logs to ensure consistent storage conditions.
