MAP Medication Storage & Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a medication's expiration date represent?
- The date after which the medication becomes immediately toxic
- The date through which the manufacturer guarantees full potency and safety (Correct answer)
- The date when the medication must automatically be discarded by law
- The date the prescription was originally filled by the pharmacy
Correct answer: The date through which the manufacturer guarantees full potency and safety
The expiration date is the manufacturer's guarantee that the medication maintains its labeled potency and safety when stored under recommended conditions up to that date.
Question 2: How must controlled substances be stored in a residential care facility to meet regulatory requirements?
- In the same locked cabinet as all other medications
- In a double-locked, separately secured cabinet (Correct answer)
- In a refrigerator secured with a simple padlock
- In the medication room without a lock while staff are on duty
Correct answer: In a double-locked, separately secured cabinet
Federal and state regulations require controlled substances to be stored in a double-locked, separately secured cabinet to prevent diversion and unauthorized access.
Question 3: Which is the MOST appropriate method for disposing of unused medications in a licensed care facility?
- Flush all medications down the toilet immediately
- Crush them and place in the regular trash without documentation
- Follow facility policy and applicable state/federal guidelines, which may include DEA take-back programs (Correct answer)
- Give them to another resident with a similar diagnosis
Correct answer: Follow facility policy and applicable state/federal guidelines, which may include DEA take-back programs
Medication disposal must comply with facility policy and federal/state regulations; DEA-authorized take-back programs or approved disposal kits are commonly required methods.
Question 4: A medication label reads 'expires 08/2026.' What is the LAST day this medication may be administered?
- August 1, 2026
- August 15, 2026
- August 31, 2026 (Correct answer)
- September 1, 2026
Correct answer: August 31, 2026
When only a month and year are listed, the medication is considered valid through the last day of that month, which is August 31, 2026.
Question 5: What should be done with medications discovered to have passed their expiration date?
- Continue using them until the new supply arrives
- Remove from active stock and dispose of per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Return them to the pharmacy for a credit or refund
- Store them separately as emergency backup supplies
Correct answer: Remove from active stock and dispose of per facility policy
Expired medications must be promptly removed from active medication stock and disposed of per facility policy to prevent accidental administration of potentially ineffective or harmful medications.
Question 6: When must a caregiver document the removal of a controlled substance from storage?
- Only at the end of each shift during final counts
- Only when the controlled substance supply is running low
- Immediately at the time of removal, before administration (Correct answer)
- After the medication has been successfully administered to the resident
Correct answer: Immediately at the time of removal, before administration
Controlled substances must be documented immediately upon removal from storage to maintain an accurate running count and prevent opportunities for diversion.
Question 7: Which information must be recorded in a controlled substance administration log?
- Only the medication name and date of removal
- Medication name, dose, time, resident name, count before and after removal, and caregiver signature (Correct answer)
- Only the running count before and after removal
- Medication name and signatures of two witnesses only
Correct answer: Medication name, dose, time, resident name, count before and after removal, and caregiver signature
A complete controlled substance log must capture medication name, dose, time, resident name, pre- and post-removal count, and the administering caregiver's signature to ensure full accountability.
MAP Medication Storage & Handling 2
What does a medication's expiration date represent?