Senior Care Medication Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT one of the 'eight rights' of medication administration?
- Right dose
- Right time
- Right color (Correct answer)
- Right route
Correct answer: Right color
The eight rights of medication administration do not include 'right color'; color is not a verification standard.
Question 2: A senior resident refuses to take a prescribed medication. The caregiver should:
- Crush the medication and hide it in the resident's food
- Respect the refusal, document it, and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Insist and physically administer the medication
- Dispose of the medication without documenting
Correct answer: Respect the refusal, document it, and notify the nurse
Residents have the legal right to refuse treatment; refusals must be documented and reported to the nurse.
Question 3: What does PRN mean on a medication order?
- Administer once per night
- Administer as needed (Correct answer)
- Prior to regular nursing
- Permanent regular notation
Correct answer: Administer as needed
PRN is a Latin abbreviation for 'pro re nata,' meaning the medication is given as needed based on specific criteria.
Question 4: Which observation after medication administration should be reported to the nurse immediately?
- Resident says the pill is hard to swallow
- Resident develops a rash and swelling after taking a new medication (Correct answer)
- Resident takes a long time to chew a tablet
- Resident asks what the medication is for
Correct answer: Resident develops a rash and swelling after taking a new medication
A rash and swelling after medication suggest an allergic reaction, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate nurse notification.
Question 5: Why should a caregiver never crush an enteric-coated tablet?
- It makes the medication taste better
- Crushing destroys the coating that protects the stomach or controls drug release (Correct answer)
- It would make the medication too strong
- Enteric-coated tablets must be injected instead
Correct answer: Crushing destroys the coating that protects the stomach or controls drug release
Enteric coatings are designed to protect the stomach lining or to control the release of medication in the intestines.
Question 6: Which of the following medications commonly prescribed to seniors carries a high risk for falls?
- Antacids
- Benzodiazepines (sedatives) (Correct answer)
- Vitamin D supplements
- Stool softeners
Correct answer: Benzodiazepines (sedatives)
Benzodiazepines cause sedation, dizziness, and impaired balance, significantly increasing fall risk in older adults.
Senior Care Medication Management 1
Which of the following is NOT one of the 'eight rights' of medication administration?