QMAP Scope of Practice and Supervision Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A QMAP is caring for a resident who requires an injectable insulin dose. Which statement is correct?
- QMAPs may administer insulin injections if trained in injection technique
- In most states, injections are outside the QMAP scope of practice and must be given by a licensed nurse (Correct answer)
- Any staff member may administer insulin regardless of certification
- QMAPs can administer insulin only if a nurse is watching
Correct answer: In most states, injections are outside the QMAP scope of practice and must be given by a licensed nurse
Injectable medications are generally outside the QMAP scope of practice in most states and must be administered by a licensed nurse.
Question 2: What does the phrase 'working within your scope of practice' mean for a QMAP?
- Performing any task requested by a supervisor regardless of training
- Performing only the medication administration tasks for which you are trained, authorized, and certified (Correct answer)
- Doing whatever is needed in an emergency regardless of training
- Following resident preferences over standard protocols
Correct answer: Performing only the medication administration tasks for which you are trained, authorized, and certified
Working within scope of practice means performing only those tasks for which you hold proper training, certification, and authorization.
Question 3: If a QMAP witnesses another staff member administer a medication incorrectly, what is the appropriate response?
- Ignore it unless the resident is obviously harmed
- Report the incident to the supervising nurse and document observations according to facility policy (Correct answer)
- Confront the staff member directly and demand they correct it
- Wait to see if the resident has an adverse reaction before deciding to act
Correct answer: Report the incident to the supervising nurse and document observations according to facility policy
Witnessing a medication error or improper administration requires reporting to the supervising nurse and documenting per facility policy to protect resident safety.
Question 4: When is a QMAP permitted to prepare and administer a medication that another staff member has already drawn up or poured?
- Any time, as long as the container is labeled
- Generally never — QMAPs should only administer medications they personally prepared and verified (Correct answer)
- Only if the other staff member watches them give it
- When running behind schedule and the medication is clearly labeled
Correct answer: Generally never — QMAPs should only administer medications they personally prepared and verified
QMAPs should only administer medications they personally prepared and verified to prevent errors from unlabeled or incorrectly prepared doses.
Question 5: A QMAP's certification lapses. What is the implication for their medication administration duties?
- They may continue working until the renewal is processed
- They are no longer authorized to administer medications and must stop until recertified (Correct answer)
- They can administer medications only under direct nurse observation
- Certification lapse has no impact on QMAP duties
Correct answer: They are no longer authorized to administer medications and must stop until recertified
An expired QMAP certification means the individual is no longer legally authorized to administer medications and must stop until recertified.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the relationship between a QMAP and the facility's licensed nursing staff?
- QMAPs operate independently and report only to the facility administrator
- QMAPs work under the supervision of licensed nurses, who provide clinical oversight and guidance (Correct answer)
- QMAPs supervise unlicensed aides in all medication tasks
- The nurse and QMAP have completely separate, unrelated roles
Correct answer: QMAPs work under the supervision of licensed nurses, who provide clinical oversight and guidance
QMAPs operate under the clinical supervision of licensed nurses, who are responsible for oversight of medication administration activities.
QMAP Scope of Practice and Supervision Requirements 2
A QMAP is caring for a resident who requires an injectable insulin dose.
Which statement is correct?