Question

exam : managing medications in alfs: knowing the side effects

1. what is the most important responsibility of a medication aide?

to make sure the residents are entertained
to monitor for medication side effects
to educate coworkers on your organizations policies
to make sure the residents are eating enough

1. true or false: older adults are more likely to experience adverse reactions to their medications because of their age and the fact that they often take multiple medications.

true
false

1. what is the most common cause of an adverse drug reaction?

toxicity
dehydration
viral infection
allergy

1. although side effects of topical medications for the skin are usually minimal, what are you most likely to observe in your residents as a side effect?

skin irritation where the medication is applied
blisters and bleeding around the application site
productive cough and congestion
increased irritability and sleeplessness

1. a resident in your care is experiencing dry mouth and lips as a result of their medication. in addition to documenting the side effect, what steps should you take?

tell them to talk to their healthcare provider.
encourage them to drink more fluids and use lip balm
offer ginger ale and saltines or dry toast.
suggest that they take a rest during the daytime

Explanation:

1. A medication aide's main role is related to medications. Monitoring for side - effects is directly medication - related. Entertaining residents, ensuring they eat enough, and educating coworkers on policies are not the most important responsibilities regarding medications.
2. Older adults have physiological changes (due to age) and often take multiple medications (polypharmacy), which increases the risk of adverse reactions.
3. Toxicity (from incorrect dosage, drug accumulation etc.) is a very common cause of adverse drug reactions. Dehydration, viral infection, and allergy are less common as the most common cause.
4. Topical medications for the skin are most likely to cause local skin irritation at the application site. Blisters and bleeding are more severe (less likely for minimal side - effects), productive cough and congestion are respiratory (not related to topical skin meds), and increased irritability and sleeplessness are systemic (less likely for topical skin meds).
5. For dry mouth and lips (a common side - effect), encouraging fluid intake (to moisten) and using lip balm (for lips) is a practical immediate step. Telling them to talk to the provider is not an immediate step you can take as a non - provider. Ginger ale, saltines, dry toast are for nausea, and suggesting rest is for fatigue - like symptoms.

Answer:

1. To monitor for medication side effects
2. TRUE
3. Toxicity
4. Skin irritation where the medication is applied
5. Encourage them to drink more fluids and use lip balm