MACE - Exam Prep Medication Administration and Reporting Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident on a new blood pressure medication reports feeling dizzy. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate immediate action for the Medication Aide?
- Instruct the resident to sit or lie down and then report the symptom to the nurse. (Correct answer)
- Give the resident a glass of water and wait 30 minutes to see if the symptom improves.
- Document the resident's complaint in the chart and report it at the end of the shift.
- Administer the next scheduled dose of the medication to see if it helps regulate the pressure.
Correct answer: Instruct the resident to sit or lie down and then report the symptom to the nurse.
The resident's safety is the top priority. Dizziness can be a sign of hypotension (low blood pressure) and increases the risk of falls. Having the resident sit or lie down immediately mitigates this risk. Reporting the symptom to the supervising nurse is crucial for proper assessment and potential intervention.
Question 2: When documenting the administration of a PRN (as-needed) medication for pain, what information is essential to record in the Medication Administration Record (MAR)?
- The reason for administration and the resident's response to the medication. (Correct answer)
- Only the time and initials of the person who administered the medication.
- The name of the nurse who delegated the task.
- The resident's vital signs before and after administration.
Correct answer: The reason for administration and the resident's response to the medication.
For PRN medications, it is critical to document not only that the medication was given but also the reason (e.g., resident reported pain level of 7/10) and the subsequent effectiveness or response (e.g., resident reported pain decreased to 3/10 after 30 minutes). This provides a complete clinical picture for the healthcare team.
Question 3: A Medication Aide discovers that a medication error occurred on the previous shift (e.g., a dose was documented but not given). What is the correct procedure to follow?
- Report the finding to the supervising nurse immediately. (Correct answer)
- Correct the error in the MAR by initialing the change.
- Administer the missed dose to the resident right away.
- Ask the aide from the previous shift what happened.
Correct answer: Report the finding to the supervising nurse immediately.
Upon discovering any medication error, the Medication Aide's primary responsibility is to report it to the supervising nurse immediately. The nurse will then assess the resident and determine the appropriate course of action, which includes following the facility's policy for error reporting and documentation. The aide should not independently correct documentation or administer a missed dose without direction.
Question 4: Which of the following is a key component of the 'Right Route' in the rights of medication administration?
- Verifying that an oral tablet is not crushed when it is a long-acting formulation. (Correct answer)
- Checking the expiration date on the medication packaging.
- Confirming the resident's identity using two identifiers.
- Administering the medication within 30 minutes of the scheduled time.
Correct answer: Verifying that an oral tablet is not crushed when it is a long-acting formulation.
The 'Right Route' ensures the medication is given via the prescribed pathway (e.g., oral, topical, inhalation). A critical part of this is knowing which oral medications cannot be crushed, such as sustained-release, long-acting, or enteric-coated tablets, as crushing them can dangerously alter their absorption rate.
Question 5: A resident refuses to take their prescribed morning medications. What is the Medication Aide's most appropriate response?
- Respect the resident's right to refuse, document the refusal, and report it to the nurse. (Correct answer)
- Insist that the resident take the medication for their own good.
- Hide the medication in their food to ensure they receive it.
- Tell the resident you will have to call their family if they don't comply.
Correct answer: Respect the resident's right to refuse, document the refusal, and report it to the nurse.
Residents have the right to refuse medication. The Medication Aide must respect this right. The proper procedure is to document the refusal in the MAR according to facility policy (e.g., circling the initials and writing on the back) and promptly report the refusal and any stated reason to the supervising nurse.
Question 6: After administering a new antibiotic to a resident, which of the following signs should the Medication Aide immediately report to the nurse as a possible allergic reaction?
- Sudden onset of hives, rash, or difficulty breathing. (Correct answer)
- A complaint of a mild headache.
- Feeling slightly more tired than usual.
- An increase in appetite at the next meal.
Correct answer: Sudden onset of hives, rash, or difficulty breathing.
Sudden hives, rash, and especially difficulty breathing are classic signs of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction, which can be life-threatening. These symptoms require immediate reporting and intervention by a licensed nurse.
MACE - Exam Prep Medication Administration and Reporting Questions and Answers
A resident on a new blood pressure medication reports feeling dizzy.
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate immediate action for the Medication Aide?