North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

Should oral medications be stored with topical or external medications?

1. Yes, they can be stored together

2. No, they must be stored separately

3. Only if labeled correctly

4. Only in emergency situations

The correct answer is: No, they must be stored separately

Oral medications must be stored separately from topical or external medications to prevent any risk of contamination and confusion regarding their uses. By keeping these medications apart, the chance of inadvertently administering a topical medication orally, or vice versa, is significantly reduced. Oral medications are intended for ingestion and should be kept in an environment that ensures their integrity and effectiveness, whereas topical medications are used externally and may contain different excipients or components that are not suitable for oral administration. The separation also aids in proper organization and helps healthcare providers and caregivers easily identify the type of medications they are handling, which is essential for ensuring patient safety and effective medication administration.