North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

According to the MAR, was the Coumadin administered as ordered when it arrived late?

1. Yes, it was administered once received

2. No, the medication was not given as prescribed

3. It was given twice on the same day

4. That day was a holiday, so it was skipped

The correct answer is: No, the medication was not given as prescribed

The correct response indicates that the medication was not given as prescribed. When a medication, such as Coumadin, is depicted as being administered "late," it implies that there may be specific instructions regarding the timing of the dosage that are critical to the patient's treatment plan. For anticoagulant medications like Coumadin, maintaining consistent therapeutic levels is essential to prevent adverse events like blood clots or bleeding. If the Coumadin was ordered for a specific time and, due to its late arrival, was not administered at that prescribed time, it could lead to significant variations in the patient's medication regimen that are not acceptable under standard care protocols. It’s vital for medication aides to adhere strictly to the medication administration schedule documented on the MAR (Medication Administration Record) to ensure that patients receive their treatments as intended for their health and safety. Administering it after the prescribed time could potentially disrupt the patient's treatment and lead to complications. Thus, acknowledging that the medication was not administered as prescribed reinforces the importance of timely medication delivery and administration in medication management.