QMA Prohibited from Performing: - Answers 1. Assess a resident's condition
2. Call a physician
3. Take a physician's written or verbal order
4. Administer medication by injection
5. Administer any medication inhalation treatment other than metered dose inhalers
6. Administer medication per nasogastric tube
7. Instill irrigation fluids of any type including, but not limited to, colostomy, catheter and enema, except
a commercially prepared disposable enema
8. Administer a treatment that involves an advanced skin condition, including Stage II, III, and IV
decubitus ulcers.
QMA Scope of Practice: - Answers 1. Observe and report to the facility's licensed nurse reactions and
aide effects to medications exhibited by a resident
2. Measure and document vital signs prior to the administration of medication that could affect or
change the vital signs. Report any abnormalities that would prohibit medication administration to the
licensed nurse
3. Administer regularly prescribed medication which the QMA has been trained to administer only after
personally preparing(setting up) the medication to be administered. The QMA shall document in a
resident's clinical record all medications that the QMA personally administered. The QMA shall not
document in a resident's clinical record any medication that was administered by another person or not
administered at all.
4. Initiate oxygen per nasal cannula or non sealing mask only in an emergency. Immediately after the
emergency, the QMA shall verbally notify the licensed nurse on duty or on call and appropriately
document the action and notification
5. Obtain oxygen saturation utilizing an oximeter that has been calibrated by a liscense or certified
professional and report results to the licensed nurse
6. Administer/ apply physician-ordered oral, ophthalmic, otic, nasal, vaginal and rectal medications
7. Crush and administer medications if such preparation is appropriate per manufacturer's instructions
or physician's order
8. Alter capsules if prescribed to be administered in this altered manner by the physician
9. Count, administer, and document controlled substances
, 10. Administer medications per G-Tube or J-Tube
11. Administer previously order pro re nata(PRN) medication only authorization is obtained from the
facility's licensed nurse on duty or on call.
If authorization is obtained, the QMA must perform the Following Steps for a PRN medication: - Answers
1. Document in the resident records symptoms indicating the need for the medication and time the
symptoms occured
2. Document in the resident record that the facility's licensed nurse was contacted, symptoms were
described and permission was granted to administer the medication, including the time of contact
3. Obtain permission to administer the medication each time the symptoms occur in the resident
4. Ensure that the resident's record is cosigned by the licensed nurse who gave permission by the end of
the nurse's shift, or if the nurse was on call, by the end of the nurse's next tour of duty
Examples of Negligence include, but are not limited to: - Answers 1. leaving a dependent resident
unattended in a shower or bath
2. failing to report an observation or occurrence to the nurse that later has profound consequences for
the resident's health
3. causing an injury by using defective/ broken equipment or supplies
"Six Rights" of medication administration are: - Answers 1. Give the Right Medication
2. Give the Right Dose
3. Give medication to the Right Resident
4. Give medication by the Right Route
5. Give the medication at the Right Time
6. Right Documentation
Violations can also be caused by: - Answers 1. lack of concentration
2. lack of knowledge
3. failure to follow correct procedure
4. poor communication
5. performing a job beyond your scope of practice
Responsibilities regarding medication errors: - Answers 1. Reporting an error is mandatory