MACE Observing and Reporting Effects 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident taking a diuretic medication begins to complain of muscle cramps and weakness. What electrolyte imbalance should the medication aide suspect and report?
- Hypernatremia
- Hypokalemia (Correct answer)
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypercalcemia
Correct answer: Hypokalemia
Diuretics often cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia, which presents as muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue.
Question 2: While observing a resident after administration of an antibiotic, the aide notices hives spreading across the resident's arms. This is best classified as:
- A therapeutic effect
- An expected side effect
- An allergic reaction (Correct answer)
- A toxic effect
Correct answer: An allergic reaction
Hives (urticaria) spreading after medication administration indicate an allergic reaction, which must be reported immediately.
Question 3: A resident on iron supplements reports that their stools have turned black. What is the appropriate action?
- Report it immediately as a sign of internal bleeding
- Document it as a normal, expected effect of iron supplementation (Correct answer)
- Withhold the next dose and notify the nurse
- Encourage more fluid intake to resolve the issue
Correct answer: Document it as a normal, expected effect of iron supplementation
Black stools are a well-known and expected side effect of oral iron supplements and should be documented as a normal finding.
Question 4: Which observation in a resident taking an antihypertensive medication requires the MOST urgent report to the nurse?
- Blood pressure reading of 118/76 mmHg
- Mild fatigue reported by the resident
- Blood pressure of 78/50 mmHg with dizziness (Correct answer)
- A slight headache in the morning
Correct answer: Blood pressure of 78/50 mmHg with dizziness
A blood pressure of 78/50 mmHg with dizziness indicates dangerous hypotension, a serious adverse effect requiring immediate nursing intervention.
Question 5: A resident taking an anticoagulant has developed unexplained bruising on both arms. The medication aide should:
- Apply ice packs and continue medication as scheduled
- Document and report the bruising to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Reassure the resident that bruising is always normal with age
- Withhold the medication without consulting the nurse
Correct answer: Document and report the bruising to the nurse immediately
Unexplained bruising in a resident on anticoagulants may signal excessive bleeding risk and must be reported to the nurse promptly.
Question 6: Which term describes a harmful, unintended response to a medication that occurs at a normal therapeutic dose?
- Therapeutic effect
- Adverse drug reaction (Correct answer)
- Placebo effect
- Drug tolerance
Correct answer: Adverse drug reaction
An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is an unintended, harmful response that occurs at a dose normally used for treatment.
Question 7: A resident receiving a narcotic analgesic has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute. The medication aide should:
- Continue monitoring and reassess in one hour
- Report the finding to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Encourage the resident to breathe deeply and recheck
- Administer the next scheduled dose as ordered
Correct answer: Report the finding to the nurse immediately
A respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute is dangerously low and may indicate narcotic-induced respiratory depression, requiring immediate reporting.
MACE Observing and Reporting Effects 2
A resident taking a diuretic medication begins to complain of muscle cramps and weakness.
What electrolyte imbalance should the medication aide suspect and report?