North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

If a prescription label indicates no refills for a medication, what should be done?

1. The medication should be administered until it's finished

2. Contact the physician regarding refills

3. Notify the pharmacy of the situation

4. Documemnt it as patient refusal

The correct answer is: Contact the physician regarding refills

When a prescription label indicates no refills, the appropriate action is to contact the physician regarding refills. This is essential because the absence of refills means that the prescriber has not authorized further medication supply after the current prescription is completed. By contacting the physician, you can discuss the patient's ongoing need for the medication, evaluate whether the medication should be continued, and, if necessary, obtain a new prescription or refill authorization. This step ensures patient safety and adherence to legal guidelines, as a medication must be prescribed by a licensed professional for it to be dispensed again. Administering the medication until it’s finished, notifying the pharmacy, or documenting it as patient refusal does not address the fundamental issue of obtaining further authorization from the prescriber for continued medication usage.