CMT Medication Administration Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When using the 'seven rights' of medication administration, which right ensures the correct documentation is reviewed before giving a drug?
- Right time
- Right medication (Correct answer)
- Right documentation
- Right route
Correct answer: Right medication
The right medication right ensures the medication technician checks the label against the MAR to confirm the correct drug.
Question 2: A resident's MAR indicates 'prn' for a pain medication. What does 'prn' mean?
- Give with food
- As needed (Correct answer)
- Do not crush
- Every night
Correct answer: As needed
'PRN' (pro re nata) means the medication should be given as needed based on the resident's condition.
Question 3: What is the purpose of checking a resident's identification band before medication administration?
- To verify the nurse's order
- To confirm the right resident is receiving the medication (Correct answer)
- To check for allergies to latex
- To document the time of administration
Correct answer: To confirm the right resident is receiving the medication
Checking the identification band confirms the right resident, preventing medication errors.
Question 4: Which action is required when a medication error occurs?
- Correct the MAR and say nothing
- Assess the resident, notify the nurse, and complete an incident report (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if the resident shows symptoms before reporting
- Administer a corrective medication immediately
Correct answer: Assess the resident, notify the nurse, and complete an incident report
A medication error requires immediate resident assessment, nurse notification, and completion of an incident report per facility policy.
Question 5: A liquid medication dose is 7.5 mL. Which measuring device is most accurate for this dose?
- A household tablespoon
- A calibrated oral syringe (Correct answer)
- A paper cup estimated to the fill line
- A teaspoon
Correct answer: A calibrated oral syringe
A calibrated oral syringe provides the most accurate measurement for liquid medications, especially for small doses.
Question 6: When administering otic (ear) drops to an adult, how should the ear be positioned?
- Pull the earlobe down and back
- Pull the auricle up and back (Correct answer)
- Push the tragus forward
- No repositioning is needed
Correct answer: Pull the auricle up and back
For adults, the auricle (outer ear) is pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal for proper drop instillation.
Question 7: Which medication form should NEVER be crushed?
- Immediate-release tablets
- Enteric-coated tablets (Correct answer)
- Chewable tablets
- Effervescent tablets
Correct answer: Enteric-coated tablets
Enteric-coated tablets have a protective coating to prevent stomach irritation or to release the drug in the intestine; crushing destroys this coating.
CMT Medication Administration Procedures 3
When using the 'seven rights' of medication administration, which right ensures the correct documentation is reviewed before giving a drug?