HHA Medication Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary role of a Home Health Aide (HHA) regarding a client's medications?
- Administer injections as needed
- Assist and remind clients to take their own medications as prescribed (Correct answer)
- Adjust medication doses based on the client's condition
- Obtain prescription refills independently
Correct answer: Assist and remind clients to take their own medications as prescribed
HHAs are not licensed to administer medications independently; they assist and remind clients to self-administer as prescribed by the physician.
Question 2: What does the abbreviation 'PRN' mean on a medication order?
- Every night at bedtime
- As needed (Correct answer)
- Before meals
- Twice daily
Correct answer: As needed
PRN (pro re nata) is a Latin term meaning 'as needed,' indicating the medication is taken only when a specific condition arises.
Question 3: Before assisting a client with medications, an HHA should always verify which of the following?
- The medication's expiration date only
- The client's name, medication name, dose, time, and route (Correct answer)
- The color and shape of the pill
- Whether the client is hungry
Correct answer: The client's name, medication name, dose, time, and route
The five rights of medication administration — right client, right medication, right dose, right time, and right route — must always be confirmed.
Question 4: What should an HHA do if a client refuses to take their prescribed medication?
- Crush the medication and mix it into food without telling the client
- Force the client to take the medication
- Document the refusal and report it to the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Give the medication to the client later without charting
Correct answer: Document the refusal and report it to the supervisor
Clients have the right to refuse treatment; the HHA must document the refusal and notify the supervising nurse or agency.
Question 5: Which abbreviation on a medication schedule means the medication should be taken twice a day?
- QD
- TID
- BID (Correct answer)
- QID
Correct answer: BID
BID (bis in die) is the Latin abbreviation meaning twice a day, while QD = once daily, TID = three times daily, and QID = four times daily.
Question 6: An HHA notices that a client has developed hives after starting a new medication. What is the correct response?
- Stop giving the medication and tell no one until the next scheduled visit
- Give an antihistamine from the medicine cabinet
- Document the observation and immediately report it to the supervisor or nurse (Correct answer)
- Reassure the client and continue the medication as prescribed
Correct answer: Document the observation and immediately report it to the supervisor or nurse
Hives may indicate an allergic reaction; the HHA must document and report the symptom immediately so a licensed professional can evaluate and intervene.
Question 7: Which of the following actions is within the HHA's scope of practice regarding medications?
- Cutting a tablet in half to adjust the dose
- Reading the medication label aloud to the client for self-administration (Correct answer)
- Deciding whether a medication is still necessary
- Calling the pharmacy to change a prescription
Correct answer: Reading the medication label aloud to the client for self-administration
Reading the label aloud supports the client's self-administration and is within scope; altering doses or changing prescriptions requires a licensed clinician.
HHA Medication Management 1
What is the primary role of a Home Health Aide (HHA) regarding a client's medications?