Medications

Question 1

Meds are commonly taken to

Answer 1

Promote health
Eliminate an illness 
Control a disease 
Reduce Symptoms of an illness 
Alter or change a behavior

Question 2

Desired effect

Answer 2

The med is working as intended; produces desired or therapeutic result

Question 3

No apparent desired effect

Answer 3

Med is not working as intended; resident is still experiencing the problem

Question 4

Unwanted effect

Answer 4

Side effects or adverse reactions

Question 5

Common side effects to look for

Answer 5

Rashes
Vomiting
Fainting
Confusion
Lightheadedness 
Mental status changes 
Urinary incontinence 
Dry mouth

Question 6

More common side effects

Answer 6

Diarrhea
Nausea
Blurred vision
Lethargy
Agitation
Constipation

Question 7

Drug interactions can cause these symptoms

Answer 7

Nausea 
Drowsiness
Listing (leaning)
Vomiting 
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Confusion

Question 8

Anticoagulants

Answer 8

Blood thinners that can cause gums to bleed (soft Brussel toothbrush) or unexplained bruising (contact nurse)

Question 9

Inhalants or puffers

Answer 9

Control symptoms of asthma

Relieve symptoms of lung disease

Question 10

Nose/ eye drops

Answer 10

Ask resident to lie down or sit up

Question 11

Abnormal symptoms after otic meds

Answer 11

Sharp pain in ear
Burning sensation in ear
Ringing or buzzing sounds in ear

Question 12

Eye drops

Answer 12

Form a pouch in the lower eyelid with index finger, don’t put cap down to prevent contamination, have Kleenex to wipe their eye

Question 13

To prevent eye drops from dripping

Answer 13

Put pressure on medial side with eyes closed. Also keeps meds in longer

Question 14

What to do when an error occurs

Answer 14

Stop what you’re doing and tell the nurse; file an incident report

Question 15

If a resident refuses

Answer 15

Find out why
Explain importance/ encourage
Three attempts
Document in MAR

Question 16

Dropped/ contaminated

Answer 16

If resident doesn’t want, give to nurse to discard

Sign balance sheet and note the wasted med

Question 17

Giving the right meds

Answer 17

Compare the label to MAR three times

Question 18

The six R’s

Answer 18

Right resident
Right drug
Right dosage
Right time
Right route 
Right record/ documentation

Question 19

Med delivery

Answer 19

Radio nurse (9:30am)
Sign for special delivery after nurse hours

Question 20

Where should syringes and needles be placed

Answer 20

The bio-hazardous sharps container
Red box
Sharps box

Question 21

Reasons meds cannot be returned to pharmacy

Answer 21

Expired
Opened or partially used 
Contaminated 
Discontinued control medication 
Discontinued over the counter

Question 22

Medication information

Answer 22

Name of drug
Drug dosage
Form of drug
Quantity of med
Route to be taken by
Frequency of administration 
Caution warnings

Question 23

More med information

Answer 23

Number of refills 
Original date prescription was filled (and refill date)
Expiration date
Name of manufacturer
Prescription number
Drug enforcement agency (DEA) number

Question 24

Reasons a medication may be discontinued

Answer 24

No longer needs the med
No apparent effect
Unwanted side effects
No longer takes prescribed form of med
Route is ineffective 
Dosage is ineffective 
Frequency is ineffective

Question 25

Documenting a held medication in the MAR

Answer 25

Note date held by circling box with initials
Explain why on the back
Report to nurse
Record on the 24 hour sheet

Question 26

Keeping an accurate inventory

Answer 26

Two caregivers count under a double locked med cart: one coming in and one going home

Three counts in a 24 hour period

Question 27

Spill kit

Answer 27

Double bag red hazardous bags and place in bio hazardous container