MACE Roles & Responsibilities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A medication aide discovers they administered the wrong dose to a resident. What is the FIRST action they should take?
- Document the error in the MAR and say nothing
- Notify the supervising nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Administer a corrective dose to compensate
- Wait to see if the resident shows symptoms
Correct answer: Notify the supervising nurse immediately
The medication aide must immediately notify the supervising nurse so appropriate clinical action can be taken to protect the resident.
Question 2: Which action falls WITHIN the scope of practice for a certified medication aide?
- Crushing medications without a physician order
- Administering a prescribed oral medication per the MAR (Correct answer)
- Starting an IV infusion
- Changing a sterile wound dressing
Correct answer: Administering a prescribed oral medication per the MAR
Administering prescribed oral medications as listed on the MAR is a core task within the medication aide's scope of practice.
Question 3: A resident refuses their scheduled medication. The medication aide should:
- Crush it into food so the resident will not notice
- Document the refusal and report it to the supervising nurse (Correct answer)
- Hold the medication indefinitely without documentation
- Persuade the resident until they agree
Correct answer: Document the refusal and report it to the supervising nurse
Resident refusal must be documented on the MAR and reported to the nurse to ensure appropriate follow-up.
Question 4: Who holds ultimate accountability for medications administered by a medication aide?
- The medication aide alone
- The pharmacy that dispensed the medication
- The supervising licensed nurse (Correct answer)
- The facility administrator
Correct answer: The supervising licensed nurse
The supervising licensed nurse retains professional accountability for medications delegated to and administered by the medication aide.
Question 5: A newly certified medication aide is asked by a co-worker to administer a medication they have never given before. The aide should:
- Administer it to avoid slowing the workflow
- Ask the co-worker to demonstrate the procedure
- Consult the supervising nurse before administering (Correct answer)
- Refuse and document the refusal in the MAR
Correct answer: Consult the supervising nurse before administering
When uncertain about an unfamiliar medication, the aide must consult the supervising nurse before administration to ensure safe practice.
Question 6: Which of the following is a legal requirement for medication aides in most U.S. states?
- Completing a physician-approved training program
- Completing a state-approved medication aide training program (Correct answer)
- Holding a licensed practical nurse (LPN) credential
- Passing the NCLEX examination
Correct answer: Completing a state-approved medication aide training program
Most states require medication aides to complete a state-approved training program and pass a competency exam before practicing.
Question 7: A medication aide may NOT independently perform which task?
- Reading and interpreting the MAR
- Verifying a resident's identity before administration
- Modifying a medication dosage based on a resident's complaint (Correct answer)
- Reporting a medication error to the nurse
Correct answer: Modifying a medication dosage based on a resident's complaint
Modifying dosages requires a physician order and nurse assessment; medication aides must administer medications exactly as ordered.
MACE Roles & Responsibilities 2
A medication aide discovers they administered the wrong dose to a resident.
What is the FIRST action they should take?