Mixed Deck — All CMT Topics Flashcards
99 cards from real CMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Mixed Deck — All CMT Topics flashcards as text
A physician's order says 'give PRN for pain.' What must the CMT clarify before administering the PRN medication?
Answer: The specific dose, route, frequency, and maximum daily limit
PRN (as-needed) orders must include specific dose, route, frequency, and any maximum limits to ensure safe administration; incomplete orders must be clarified.
Which term refers to the movement of drugs within the body?
Answer: Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics refers to the study of how the body handles a drug, encompassing the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). It describes the movement of drugs within the body over time, influencing how quickly and effectively a medication reaches its target site and is eliminated.
What is the correct technique for administering a sublingual tablet?
Answer: Place it under the tongue and allow it to dissolve
Sublingual tablets are placed under the tongue where they dissolve and are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.
When a CMT witnesses another staff member documenting a medication they did not actually administer, this is considered:
Answer: Falsification of medical records, a serious legal and ethical violation
Documenting care that was not provided is falsification of medical records, which is both a criminal act and a serious ethical breach requiring mandatory reporting.
Which of the following is a clinically significant drug-food interaction?
Answer: Taking warfarin while consuming large amounts of leafy green vegetables daily
Vitamin K found in leafy greens can significantly reduce warfarin's anticoagulant effect, making consistent dietary vitamin K intake critical for stable INR levels.
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.
What is the primary responsibility of a Certified Medication Technician (CMT)?
Answer: To administer medications as prescribed.
A Certified Medication Technician (CMT) is specifically trained and authorized to administer medications to patients as prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. Their primary responsibility focuses on the safe and accurate delivery of medications according to established protocols and physician orders. CMTs do not have the authority to prescribe, diagnose, or perform complex medical procedures.
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.
A medication is labeled 250 mg per capsule. The order is for 0.75 g. How many capsules should be given?
Answer: 3 capsules
0.75 g = 750 mg; 750 mg ÷ 250 mg = 3 capsules.
A resident needs 75 mg of a medication. The available stock is a liquid with a strength of 50 mg per 5 mL. How many mL will the CMT administer?
Answer: 7.5 mL
To solve this, use the ratio and proportion method or the standard formula. (Desired dose / Have on hand) x Quantity. (75 mg / 50 mg) x 5 mL = 1.5 x 5 mL = 7.5 mL.
What information must be verified on a medication storage label before administration?
Answer: Medication name, strength, expiration date, and patient name
Before administration, the label must be verified for name, strength, expiration date, and patient name as part of the rights of medication administration.
A medication order reads 'gtt ii OS tid.' What does 'OS' indicate?
Answer: Left eye
OS (oculus sinister) is the Latin abbreviation for left eye.
A Schedule II controlled substance prescription requires which of the following?
Answer: A written or electronic prescription with no refills permitted
Schedule II drugs require a written or electronic prescription and cannot be refilled; a new prescription must be issued for each dispensing.
A resident weighs 154 lb. What is this weight in kilograms?
Answer: 70 kg
154 lb ÷ 2.2 = 70 kg.
Which of the following is an example of a drug's agonist effect?
Answer: A drug binding to a receptor and causing a response.
An agonist drug is defined by its ability to bind to a specific receptor in the body and activate it, thereby producing a physiological response. This action mimics the effect of a natural substance, leading to the desired therapeutic outcome. Therefore, a drug binding to a receptor and causing a response is the direct definition of an agonist effect.
A medication technician must perform a two-nurse count when handling which type of medication?
Answer: Controlled substances
Controlled substances require a witnessed count by two authorized personnel to ensure accountability and prevent diversion.
Which route of administration delivers medication directly into the muscle tissue?
Answer: Intramuscular
Intramuscular (IM) injections deliver medication directly into muscle tissue for faster absorption than subcutaneous routes.
A CMT discovers they administered a medication to the wrong resident. After ensuring the immediate safety of both residents involved, what is the CMT's next critical responsibility?
Answer: Report the medication error to the supervising nurse immediately.
Patient safety is the highest priority. After a medication error occurs, it must be reported immediately to the supervising nurse or appropriate authority. This allows for prompt assessment of the patient who received the wrong medication and the patient who missed their dose, and for the initiation of corrective actions and proper documentation.
A resident signs a consent form but later verbally withdraws consent before the medication is given. The CMT should:
Answer: Honor the verbal withdrawal and notify the nurse
Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and a verbal withdrawal immediately before administration must be honored; the CMT should then notify the nurse.
A resident receives oxygen therapy in addition to medications. Which of the following is within the documentation scope of a medication technician?
Answer: Medications administered, including the oxygen flow rate if it is ordered as a medication
When oxygen is ordered as a medication with a specific flow rate, the medication technician documents it on the MAR like any other medication.