Medication Management Procedures Flashcards

A staff member at a 20-bed RCFE discovers they gave a resident the wrong dosage of their morning medication. What is the MOST critical immediate action for the staff member to take?

Answer: Immediately notify the resident's physician and the facility administrator, and monitor the resident for any adverse reactions.

According to best practices and regulatory expectations, the immediate priority after a medication error is the resident's safety. This involves assessing the resident, notifying the prescribing physician for medical guidance, and informing facility management. Documentation is crucial but secondary to the immediate health and safety response.

According to California's Health & Safety Code, what are the initial medication training requirements for a new staff member hired at an RCFE licensed for 12 residents?

Answer: 6 hours of hands-on shadowing and 4 hours of other instruction within the first two weeks.

California Health and Safety Code section 1569.69 specifies different training requirements based on facility size. For facilities licensed for 15 or fewer persons, staff who assist with medication self-administration must complete 10 hours of initial training: 6 hours of hands-on shadowing before assisting with medications and 4 hours of instruction within the first two weeks of employment.

Which of the following is a requirement for assisting a resident with a PRN (as-needed) non-prescription medication if the resident cannot determine their own need for it?

Answer: A written order from the physician must be on file, and staff must contact the physician before each dose.

Title 22 regulations stipulate that if a resident cannot determine their own need for a PRN medication, staff must contact the physician to describe the resident's symptoms and receive direction prior to assisting with each dose. A standing physician's order outlining the specific symptoms, dosage, and frequency is also required.

A resident's prescription medication is discontinued by their physician. The medication is centrally stored at the facility. According to Title 22, what is the proper procedure for handling the discontinued medication?

Answer: The medication must be destroyed by the administrator and one other adult witness, with the event documented on a form like the LIC 622.

Title 22 regulations require that discontinued, expired, or leftover medications be properly destroyed to prevent misuse. The destruction must be performed by the administrator (or a designated representative) and witnessed by one other adult. This event must be documented, and the record kept for at least three years.

Under what circumstances must medications be centrally stored in a locked location within an RCFE?

Answer: When a physician determines a medication is hazardous if kept in the resident's possession.

Title 22, Section 87465, specifies that medications must be centrally stored if a physician, the administrator, or the licensing agency determines they would be a safety hazard to the resident or others. While residents can self-administer and keep their own medications with a physician's written approval, central storage is required when safety is a concern.

Which of the following actions is considered permissible "assistance with self-administration" of medications by RCFE staff?

Answer: Reminding a resident to take their medication and handing them the pre-filled container.

RCFE staff are permitted to assist residents with the self-administration of medications. This includes reminding the resident, opening containers, and handing the medication to the resident. Staff, unless they are licensed professionals, cannot administer injections. Hiding medication or altering prescription labels is strictly prohibited.