MAC Medication Storage and Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How should nitroglycerin tablets be stored to maintain their potency?
- In a plastic weekly pill organizer at room temperature
- In the original dark glass container with a tight lid, away from heat and light (Correct answer)
- In the refrigerator at all times
- Dissolved in water in a covered container
Correct answer: In the original dark glass container with a tight lid, away from heat and light
Nitroglycerin is highly unstable and must be kept in its original dark glass container with a tight lid to protect it from heat, light, and moisture.
Question 2: What does the 'beyond-use date' on a compounded medication indicate?
- The date the medication was manufactured by the pharmacy
- The last date after which the medication should not be used (Correct answer)
- The date by which the medication must be transferred to the refrigerator
- The date the prescribing physician wrote the order
Correct answer: The last date after which the medication should not be used
The beyond-use date is the last date a compounded medication should be administered; it must be discarded after this date to ensure patient safety.
Question 3: What inventory management method should be used when new medication stock is received?
- Place all new stock in front of existing stock for easy access
- Use FIFO (First In, First Out): place new stock behind existing stock and use older supplies first (Correct answer)
- Discard all old stock and replace with new supplies
- Store new and old stock together without a specific order
Correct answer: Use FIFO (First In, First Out): place new stock behind existing stock and use older supplies first
The FIFO method ensures older medications are used before newer ones, minimizing the risk of medications reaching their expiration date unused.
Question 4: Once a multi-dose vial has been opened, how should it be stored and for how long?
- At room temperature indefinitely until the vial is empty
- Per manufacturer instructions, typically refrigerated and discarded after 28 days or per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Frozen immediately after the first use
- Stored alongside single-dose vials without any additional restrictions
Correct answer: Per manufacturer instructions, typically refrigerated and discarded after 28 days or per facility policy
After opening, multi-dose vials must follow manufacturer and facility guidelines, typically refrigeration and discard within 28 days to prevent contamination.
Question 5: What special storage requirement applies to medications labeled as 'flammable'?
- Store them next to a fire extinguisher for quick response
- Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and open flames (Correct answer)
- Double-lock them with Schedule II controlled substances
- Administer them only in the presence of licensed nursing staff
Correct answer: Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and open flames
Flammable medications must be stored in cool, well-ventilated areas away from heat and ignition sources to prevent fire or explosion hazards.
Question 6: What is the correct response if the medication refrigerator temperature rises above the recommended range?
- Continue using the medications and simply document the temperature deviation
- Report the deviation immediately and segregate potentially compromised medications pending pharmacist or provider review (Correct answer)
- Move all refrigerated medications to the freezer until the refrigerator is repaired
- Automatically discard all medications that were in the refrigerator
Correct answer: Report the deviation immediately and segregate potentially compromised medications pending pharmacist or provider review
Temperature deviations require immediate reporting and segregation of affected medications so a pharmacist or provider can determine whether they remain safe to use.
Question 7: How should medications for individual residents be organized in a medication cart or storage area?
- Alphabetically by drug name in a shared area for all residents
- By individual resident with clear, accurate labeling for each person (Correct answer)
- In one large shared container organized by drug class
- By prescribing physician, grouped alphabetically by doctor name
Correct answer: By individual resident with clear, accurate labeling for each person
Organizing medications by individual resident with clear labeling is essential to prevent administration errors and ensure each resident receives the correct medications.
MAC Medication Storage and Handling 2
How should nitroglycerin tablets be stored to maintain their potency?