MACE Roles & Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A medication aide notices a resident is unusually drowsy after receiving a scheduled medication. The aide should:
- Assume the resident is tired and continue the medication pass
- Withhold the next scheduled dose and not document anything
- Notify the supervising nurse and document the observation (Correct answer)
- Call the physician directly to report the symptom
Correct answer: Notify the supervising nurse and document the observation
Unusual changes after medication administration must be reported to the supervising nurse and documented, as they may indicate an adverse reaction.
Question 2: Which 'right' of medication administration requires the aide to check the resident's armband or use another approved identification method?
- Right medication
- Right dose
- Right resident (Correct answer)
- Right time
Correct answer: Right resident
The 'right resident' requires verifying identity using at least two identifiers, such as an armband and verbal confirmation, before administering any medication.
Question 3: A medication aide may share information about a resident's medications with:
- Any staff member who asks
- The resident's roommate
- Members of the resident's care team on a need-to-know basis (Correct answer)
- Anyone accompanied by a family member
Correct answer: Members of the resident's care team on a need-to-know basis
Protected health information, including medication details, may only be shared with care team members who need it to provide care.
Question 4: When a medication aide suspects a resident may be experiencing an allergic reaction, the aide must:
- Administer an antihistamine from the emergency kit
- Stop the medication if currently giving it and call the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Continue administration and monitor the resident closely
- Document the reaction at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Stop the medication if currently giving it and call the nurse immediately
A suspected allergic reaction is an emergency requiring immediate discontinuation of the drug and urgent notification of the supervising nurse.
Question 5: Which situation would require the medication aide to refuse to administer a medication?
- The resident's name is spelled slightly differently on the label
- The medication is not listed on the resident's current MAR (Correct answer)
- The medication was prepared by a pharmacy technician
- The nurse gave verbal instructions to add an extra dose
Correct answer: The medication is not listed on the resident's current MAR
A medication not found on the current MAR has not been verified as ordered; administering it could cause serious harm.
Question 6: The medication aide's role in preventing medication diversion primarily involves:
- Counting and reconciling controlled substances with the nurse at each shift (Correct answer)
- Storing all medications in unlocked carts for quick access
- Allowing residents to self-administer controlled substances
- Disposing of unused medications in the trash
Correct answer: Counting and reconciling controlled substances with the nurse at each shift
Controlled substance counts at shift change, performed with a licensed nurse, are a key safeguard against diversion.
Question 7: A resident tells the medication aide they want to take an herbal supplement in addition to their prescribed medications. The aide should:
- Allow it since herbal supplements are not medications
- Tell the resident herbal supplements are always safe
- Inform the supervising nurse so it can be reviewed for interactions (Correct answer)
- Document it and proceed without notifying anyone
Correct answer: Inform the supervising nurse so it can be reviewed for interactions
Herbal supplements can interact with prescribed medications; the nurse must be informed so the care team can evaluate safety.
MACE Roles & Responsibilities 4
A medication aide notices a resident is unusually drowsy after receiving a scheduled medication.
The aide should: