North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

What must be done if a resident refuses a dose after the medications have been prepared?

1. Keep the medications aside for later

2. Give them to another resident

3. Dispose of them according to facility policy

4. Document the refusal and keep the medications

The correct answer is: Dispose of them according to facility policy

When a resident refuses a dose of medication after it has been prepared, the correct course of action involves disposing of the medication according to facility policy. This approach ensures that safety protocols are adhered to and that medications are not inadvertently administered later. In many healthcare settings, medications that have been prepared for one individual cannot be reused for another due to safety and legal regulations, which is why keeping them aside or giving them to another resident is not appropriate. Moreover, simply documenting the refusal and keeping the medications does not address the need for proper disposal and could pose a risk for misadministration or contamination. By following proper disposal protocols, the facility upholds standards of care and medication safety for all residents.