NMBI Medication Management

Question 1

Under Irish legislation, what are 'controlled drugs' and how must they be handled by nurses?

Accepted Answer

Drugs regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Acts that require special storage, documentation, and administration procedures including dual-nurse checking

Answer

Controlled drugs (Schedule 2 and 3 substances under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016) require locked storage, a controlled drugs register with entries witnessed by two nurses, dual-nurse checking before administration, and regular stock balance checks.

Question 2

What should a nurse do if they discover a medication error?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient for harm, notify the prescriber and nurse manager, complete an incident report, document in the patient's record, and inform the patient through open disclosure

Answer

Immediate action includes assessing the patient and providing any necessary treatment, then notifying the prescriber and nurse manager. The incident must be formally reported, documented in the patient's record, and disclosed to the patient through the open disclosure process.

Question 3

What is the correct procedure for administering an intravenous (IV) medication?

Accepted Answer

Verify the prescription, check the Five Rights, inspect the medication for clarity and expiry, check IV site patency, administer at the correct rate, and monitor the patient

Answer

IV medication administration requires verification of the prescription, Five Rights check, inspection of the medication (clarity, colour, expiry date, compatibility), assessment of the IV site for patency and signs of complications, correct rate of administration, and post-administration monitoring.

Question 4

What is the nurse's responsibility regarding medication allergies?

Accepted Answer

To document all known allergies on the medication chart and patient record, verify allergy status before each administration, and wear an allergy alert identifier on the patient

Answer

Nurses must ask about and document all allergies (including type of reaction) on the medication prescription chart and in the patient's record. Before each medication administration, allergy status must be verified. Patients should wear allergy identification bands.

Question 5

How should medications be stored in a clinical area?

Accepted Answer

In a locked medicine trolley or cupboard, at the correct temperature, separated by type, with controlled drugs in a separate locked cabinet, and stock regularly checked for expiry

Answer

Medications must be stored securely in locked facilities accessible only to authorised personnel. Temperature-sensitive medications require refrigeration with temperature monitoring. Controlled drugs need a separate locked cabinet. Regular expiry date checks and stock reconciliation are required.

NMBI Practice Test

NMBI Practice Test

NMBI Medication Management