Medication Administration Flashcards

A resident refuses their morning medication. What is the correct first action for a CMT?

Answer: Document the refusal and notify the nurse immediately

Resident refusal must be documented and reported to the nurse so the care team can address the situation appropriately.

Which route of administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream and has the fastest onset?

Answer: Intravenous

Intravenous (IV) administration bypasses absorption barriers and delivers medication directly into the bloodstream for the fastest effect.

When documenting medication administration in a MAR, which information is NOT typically required?

Answer: The resident's personal opinion about the medication

MARs record clinical facts like time, initials, and identifying information — not subjective resident opinions about medications.

A CMT is preparing an oral liquid medication. The order reads 10 mg and the concentration is 5 mg/mL. How many mL should be administered?

Answer: 2 mL

Using the formula: volume = dose ÷ concentration = 10 mg ÷ 5 mg/mL = 2 mL.

Which of the following is the safest way to identify a resident before giving medication?

Answer: Use two identifiers such as name and date of birth

Using two independent identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) is the standard safety practice to prevent medication errors.

Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue because this area:

Answer: Has rich blood supply allowing rapid absorption

The sublingual mucosa has a dense capillary network that allows medication to be absorbed quickly into systemic circulation.

A CMT notices a blister pack has two tablets missing but the MAR shows only one was given yesterday. What should the CMT do?

Answer: Report the discrepancy to the nurse or supervisor immediately

Any medication count discrepancy must be reported immediately to the supervising nurse, as it could indicate diversion or a documentation error.