North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

What should be done if a prescription label becomes soiled or its directions change?

1. Ignore it and continue medication administration

2. Contact the physician for new orders

3. Report it to the supervisor, nurse, or pharmacist

4. Reprint the label yourself

The correct answer is: Report it to the supervisor, nurse, or pharmacist

When a prescription label becomes soiled or if the directions change, the best course of action is to report the issue to the supervisor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is crucial because the information on the label is essential for safe medication administration. A soiled label may obscure critical information, potentially leading to medication errors, while changes in directions must be appropriately documented and communicated to ensure safe and effective treatment for the patient. By reporting the issue to a higher authority, the medication aide ensures that the problem is handled professionally and that the correct information is obtained, which may involve confirming or updating the prescription. This not only adheres to best practices in medication management but also protects the safety and health of the patient.