MACE Observing and Reporting Effects 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident on a statin medication reports new onset of muscle pain and weakness. The medication aide should prioritize:
- Encouraging light exercise to relieve muscle tension
- Offering a warm compress to the affected muscles
- Reporting the symptoms to the nurse before the next dose (Correct answer)
- Documenting the complaint and monitoring for 48 hours
Correct answer: Reporting the symptoms to the nurse before the next dose
Muscle pain and weakness in a resident taking statins can indicate myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, a serious adverse effect that must be reported immediately.
Question 2: When documenting observations about medication effects, the medication aide should record:
- Only positive changes in the resident's condition
- Objective observations using measurable terms (Correct answer)
- Personal opinions about the medication's effectiveness
- Only effects that differ from the nurse's expectations
Correct answer: Objective observations using measurable terms
Accurate documentation uses objective, measurable, factual terms to describe observations rather than opinions or assumptions.
Question 3: A resident taking an antidepressant for the first time asks when they should feel better. The medication aide's BEST response is:
- You should feel better by tomorrow morning
- These medications usually take several weeks to reach full effect (Correct answer)
- If you don't feel better today, the medication isn't working
- I can increase your dose to speed up the effect
Correct answer: These medications usually take several weeks to reach full effect
Antidepressants typically require 2–4 weeks or more to reach full therapeutic effect, and residents should be informed of this expected timeline.
Question 4: Which observation would indicate a possible TOXIC effect of digoxin?
- Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
- Slight increase in energy levels
- Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (Correct answer)
- Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
Correct answer: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (such as seeing yellow halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
Question 5: A resident on insulin reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and confused 30 minutes after the medication aide gave the morning insulin. The aide should FIRST:
- Administer the next scheduled insulin dose
- Have the resident lie down and rest quietly
- Check the blood glucose and notify the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Give the resident a large meal to stabilize blood sugar
Correct answer: Check the blood glucose and notify the nurse immediately
Shakiness, sweating, and confusion are signs of hypoglycemia, which requires immediate blood glucose check and nursing notification.
Question 6: The nurse asks the medication aide to monitor a resident for orthostatic hypotension after starting a new blood pressure medication. This means the aide should watch for:
- Elevated blood pressure when the resident lies down
- Dizziness or lightheadedness when the resident stands up (Correct answer)
- Rapid heart rate during physical activity
- Swelling in the ankles during the evening
Correct answer: Dizziness or lightheadedness when the resident stands up
Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, causing dizziness or lightheadedness.
Question 7: A resident taking a calcium channel blocker develops swelling in both ankles. The medication aide should:
- Elevate the ankles and not report until the swelling worsens
- Reassure the resident that ankle swelling is always harmless
- Report the observation to the nurse as a potential side effect (Correct answer)
- Limit fluids to reduce the swelling before reporting
Correct answer: Report the observation to the nurse as a potential side effect
Peripheral edema (ankle swelling) is a known side effect of some calcium channel blockers and should be reported to the nurse for evaluation.
MACE Observing and Reporting Effects 3
A resident on a statin medication reports new onset of muscle pain and weakness.
The medication aide should prioritize: