MEDICATION AIDE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. • Do not Crush - ANS-You MUST have a doctor's order to crush medications
-Keep the crusher clean and free from debris of previous medications
2. • Managing the MAR - ANS-MAR's are printed once a month; as each new order is
faxed to pharmacy, a new MAR will be sent between the new monthly orders
The old order should be discontinued by writing "D/C", the Date and Your initials,
and either drawing a line, or highlighting the order
Anytime a resident goes to the doctor, or gets a new prescription, make sure if
there are new orders, that they get faxed to pharmacy
- This includes discontinued medications, changes, or nondrug orders as well.
Pay close attention to orders with special instructions or medications given once
a week, every other day, or those with start and stop dates
3. • Measuring - ANS-- Always measure correctly using only graduated syringes,
dosing cups or spoons
- 1 teaspoonful = 5ml = Sec
- 1 tablespoonful = 3 teaspoonfuls = l 5ml = 15cc
- 1 ounce = 30ml = 30cc
- When measuring liquids, hold the cup at eye level
- Remember that some liquids have special measuring tools that you have to use
with them
4. • Metric System - ANS-1 ounce (oz) = 30 ml
1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) = 15ml
1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 ml
1 milliliter (ml) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)
5. • Remember the 6 RIGHTS - ANS-Right Resident
Right Medication
Right Dose
Right Time
Right Route
Right Documentation
6. • Right Documentation - ANS-- Initial the MAR AFTER the medication is given
- You must have the MAR with you when assisting or administering medications;
assist with or give the medications, then sign the MAR immediately after
, - If the dose is refused or not taken, circle your initials, and note on the back the
medication, date, time and reason not taken
- If the dose is outside of the time window, circle your initials, and note on the
back what time the medication was given, and why it was outside the time frame
- If a medication is not available, circle your initials, and note on the back that
medication is on order, waiting for family, etc.
- DO NOT CHART that medication is not available LONGER THAN approximately
48 hours!
- If medications are sent out with family, circle your initials, and note on the back
that the medications were given to family because resident is out of building,
(OOB) , on a LOA, etc.
- If meds are started AFTER the first of the month, draw a line through the days
until the first dose given (For regular, routine meds)
- If you cannot find a medication, or it is not there for the resident, do not just skip
it. Follow up and find out how to get the medication for the resident
- You may "HOLD" a medication per family request, as a courtesy, for
approximately 24- 48 hours (until the family can reasonably contact MD). After
that, you may not hold a medication per family request until you get a MD order
(Please consult your community policies)
- When Discontinuing or Changing an order on the MAR, you must write "DIC" or
"Order Changed, See below" AND the date and initials. MAKE Sure you have a
copy of the order in the resident's chart
You may not mark through or change dosing times on the MAR with ink. This is a
legal document.
7. • Right Medication, Right Dose - ANS-- Remember: Read the MAR 3 times
- Kroger Health Solutions Pharmacy prints the color, identification markings, and
shape of the tablet and capsules. Get in the habit of making sure it matches.
- Check the medication name on both the MAR and package;
- Check the dosage on both the MAR and package
8. • Right Resident - ANS-- Even though residents may not change that often, always
make sure you have the right resident by calling their name, and identifying with a
picture on the MAR Also remember to respect their privacy by always knocking on
their apartment door, and never exposing them to assist in applying a patch or
cream.
9. • Right Route - ANS-- Read the MAR 3 times to make sure you have the right route
Routes include oral, topical, rectal, vaginal, intramuscular, subcutaneous
Some Injectable (subcutaneous and intramuscular), vaginal and rectal are allowed
in Administration of meds by Certified Medication Aides
Other than oral meds, Gloves MUST always be worn during assistance and
administration
, Let's look at some issues that are involved in the oral route:
• Be aware of what the medications should be taken with
• Water is always best
• Some medications and some beverages or foods do not mix
10. • Right Time - ANS-- Medications are to be given on a timely basis
- There is a 2 hour rule: 1 hour before and 1 hour after the scheduled dose time
- Pay close attention to those meds that should be given as close to the scheduled
time as possible (example Sinemet, Comtan)
- You may not arbitrarily give a medication at a different time than it is ordered
unless there is a valid reason, and you MUST document completely what time the
med(s) were given, and why they were outside the ordered time.
11. 1 cc = 1 ml - ANS-A cubic centimeter is the same as a milliliter
12. 1 tablespoon is equivalent to how many milliliters? - ANS-15 ml
13. 10cc - ANS-10ml
14. 20cc - ANS-20ml
15. A Side effect is unwanted effects that are predictable and tolerable - ANS-•
Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Upset stomach
• Headache
16. ac - ANS-before meals
17. ac/hs - ANS-before meals and at bedtime
18. AD - ANS-right ear
19. Additional Explanation about Assisting with Medications: - ANS-• If a community is
assisting in the self- administration of medications, it must maintain
documentation of all medications, prescription or over the counter medications.
• The documentation record must include the name of the resident, known
allergies, the name and telephone number of the resident's health care provider,
the name, strength, and specific directions including key side effects and adverse
reactions for use of each medication and the initials of the staff person who
assisted or administered, the time and
date the medication( s) were taken, refused or if a medication error is identified.
The staff providing the assistance or administration of medications must update
the MAR each time the medication is offered or taken.
20. Administer - ANS-to give to, insert or apply medication to a person
21. ADMINISTERING ENEMA - ANS-1. Shake bottle well.
2. Remove protective shield from rectal tip: Hold bottle upright, grasping grooved
bottle cap with fingers. Grasp protective shield with other hand. Pull gently to
remove. (See illustration.)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. • Do not Crush - ANS-You MUST have a doctor's order to crush medications
-Keep the crusher clean and free from debris of previous medications
2. • Managing the MAR - ANS-MAR's are printed once a month; as each new order is
faxed to pharmacy, a new MAR will be sent between the new monthly orders
The old order should be discontinued by writing "D/C", the Date and Your initials,
and either drawing a line, or highlighting the order
Anytime a resident goes to the doctor, or gets a new prescription, make sure if
there are new orders, that they get faxed to pharmacy
- This includes discontinued medications, changes, or nondrug orders as well.
Pay close attention to orders with special instructions or medications given once
a week, every other day, or those with start and stop dates
3. • Measuring - ANS-- Always measure correctly using only graduated syringes,
dosing cups or spoons
- 1 teaspoonful = 5ml = Sec
- 1 tablespoonful = 3 teaspoonfuls = l 5ml = 15cc
- 1 ounce = 30ml = 30cc
- When measuring liquids, hold the cup at eye level
- Remember that some liquids have special measuring tools that you have to use
with them
4. • Metric System - ANS-1 ounce (oz) = 30 ml
1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) = 15ml
1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 ml
1 milliliter (ml) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)
5. • Remember the 6 RIGHTS - ANS-Right Resident
Right Medication
Right Dose
Right Time
Right Route
Right Documentation
6. • Right Documentation - ANS-- Initial the MAR AFTER the medication is given
- You must have the MAR with you when assisting or administering medications;
assist with or give the medications, then sign the MAR immediately after
, - If the dose is refused or not taken, circle your initials, and note on the back the
medication, date, time and reason not taken
- If the dose is outside of the time window, circle your initials, and note on the
back what time the medication was given, and why it was outside the time frame
- If a medication is not available, circle your initials, and note on the back that
medication is on order, waiting for family, etc.
- DO NOT CHART that medication is not available LONGER THAN approximately
48 hours!
- If medications are sent out with family, circle your initials, and note on the back
that the medications were given to family because resident is out of building,
(OOB) , on a LOA, etc.
- If meds are started AFTER the first of the month, draw a line through the days
until the first dose given (For regular, routine meds)
- If you cannot find a medication, or it is not there for the resident, do not just skip
it. Follow up and find out how to get the medication for the resident
- You may "HOLD" a medication per family request, as a courtesy, for
approximately 24- 48 hours (until the family can reasonably contact MD). After
that, you may not hold a medication per family request until you get a MD order
(Please consult your community policies)
- When Discontinuing or Changing an order on the MAR, you must write "DIC" or
"Order Changed, See below" AND the date and initials. MAKE Sure you have a
copy of the order in the resident's chart
You may not mark through or change dosing times on the MAR with ink. This is a
legal document.
7. • Right Medication, Right Dose - ANS-- Remember: Read the MAR 3 times
- Kroger Health Solutions Pharmacy prints the color, identification markings, and
shape of the tablet and capsules. Get in the habit of making sure it matches.
- Check the medication name on both the MAR and package;
- Check the dosage on both the MAR and package
8. • Right Resident - ANS-- Even though residents may not change that often, always
make sure you have the right resident by calling their name, and identifying with a
picture on the MAR Also remember to respect their privacy by always knocking on
their apartment door, and never exposing them to assist in applying a patch or
cream.
9. • Right Route - ANS-- Read the MAR 3 times to make sure you have the right route
Routes include oral, topical, rectal, vaginal, intramuscular, subcutaneous
Some Injectable (subcutaneous and intramuscular), vaginal and rectal are allowed
in Administration of meds by Certified Medication Aides
Other than oral meds, Gloves MUST always be worn during assistance and
administration
, Let's look at some issues that are involved in the oral route:
• Be aware of what the medications should be taken with
• Water is always best
• Some medications and some beverages or foods do not mix
10. • Right Time - ANS-- Medications are to be given on a timely basis
- There is a 2 hour rule: 1 hour before and 1 hour after the scheduled dose time
- Pay close attention to those meds that should be given as close to the scheduled
time as possible (example Sinemet, Comtan)
- You may not arbitrarily give a medication at a different time than it is ordered
unless there is a valid reason, and you MUST document completely what time the
med(s) were given, and why they were outside the ordered time.
11. 1 cc = 1 ml - ANS-A cubic centimeter is the same as a milliliter
12. 1 tablespoon is equivalent to how many milliliters? - ANS-15 ml
13. 10cc - ANS-10ml
14. 20cc - ANS-20ml
15. A Side effect is unwanted effects that are predictable and tolerable - ANS-•
Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Upset stomach
• Headache
16. ac - ANS-before meals
17. ac/hs - ANS-before meals and at bedtime
18. AD - ANS-right ear
19. Additional Explanation about Assisting with Medications: - ANS-• If a community is
assisting in the self- administration of medications, it must maintain
documentation of all medications, prescription or over the counter medications.
• The documentation record must include the name of the resident, known
allergies, the name and telephone number of the resident's health care provider,
the name, strength, and specific directions including key side effects and adverse
reactions for use of each medication and the initials of the staff person who
assisted or administered, the time and
date the medication( s) were taken, refused or if a medication error is identified.
The staff providing the assistance or administration of medications must update
the MAR each time the medication is offered or taken.
20. Administer - ANS-to give to, insert or apply medication to a person
21. ADMINISTERING ENEMA - ANS-1. Shake bottle well.
2. Remove protective shield from rectal tip: Hold bottle upright, grasping grooved
bottle cap with fingers. Grasp protective shield with other hand. Pull gently to
remove. (See illustration.)
