QMAP Adverse Reactions and Side Effects 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident begins vomiting and reports nausea shortly after receiving a new oral medication. What is the QMAP's priority action?
- Re-administer the medication since it may not have been absorbed
- Withhold future doses and document and report the reaction to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Crush the medication next time to improve absorption
- Instruct the resident to drink more water with the medication
Correct answer: Withhold future doses and document and report the reaction to the nurse
Vomiting after medication administration is an adverse reaction that must be documented and reported to the supervising nurse before further doses are given.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes a side effect versus an adverse reaction?
- Side effects are always dangerous; adverse reactions are expected
- Side effects are predictable and generally mild; adverse reactions are unintended and potentially harmful (Correct answer)
- They are identical terms used interchangeably
- Adverse reactions only occur with controlled substances
Correct answer: Side effects are predictable and generally mild; adverse reactions are unintended and potentially harmful
Side effects are predictable, often mild responses to a drug, while adverse reactions are unintended and can be harmful or dangerous.
Question 3: A resident taking digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights and feeling nauseated. What should the QMAP do?
- Administer the next scheduled dose and monitor
- Withhold the medication and immediately notify the nurse, as these are signs of digoxin toxicity (Correct answer)
- Document the complaint and continue routine administration
- Ask the resident if they had similar symptoms before starting the medication
Correct answer: Withhold the medication and immediately notify the nurse, as these are signs of digoxin toxicity
Visual disturbances and nausea are classic signs of digoxin toxicity and require immediate withholding of the dose and nurse notification.
Question 4: Which skin reaction associated with sulfonamide antibiotics can be life-threatening and should be reported immediately?
- Mild dry skin patches
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome presenting as blistering skin lesions and mucosal involvement (Correct answer)
- Flushing of the face
- Temporary redness at the injection site
Correct answer: Stevens-Johnson syndrome presenting as blistering skin lesions and mucosal involvement
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare but life-threatening skin reaction to sulfonamides involving widespread blistering and mucosal damage.
Question 5: A resident on blood thinners has unusual bruising and bleeding gums. The QMAP should:
- Apply pressure to the gums and wait to see if it resolves
- Document and report these signs to the nurse as potential signs of excessive anticoagulation (Correct answer)
- Advise the resident to use a softer toothbrush and reassess tomorrow
- Withhold all medications until the bruising disappears
Correct answer: Document and report these signs to the nurse as potential signs of excessive anticoagulation
Unusual bruising and bleeding gums in a resident on anticoagulants suggest excessive anticoagulation and must be reported to the nurse promptly.
Question 6: Why is it important for a QMAP to know a resident's medication allergy history before administration?
- To decide whether to administer a lower dose
- To prevent administering a drug that could trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (Correct answer)
- It is not necessary if the physician has already reviewed the chart
- Only pharmacists need to track allergy history
Correct answer: To prevent administering a drug that could trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
Knowing allergy history prevents administration of medications that could cause life-threatening reactions in susceptible residents.
QMAP Adverse Reactions and Side Effects 2
A resident begins vomiting and reports nausea shortly after receiving a new oral medication.
What is the QMAP's priority action?