North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

When new orders for medication are received, what should happen to the MAR?

1. It should be ignored until the next scheduling

2. It should be changed to reflect the new orders

3. It should remain the same until a review

4. It should be destroyed

The correct answer is: It should be changed to reflect the new orders

When new medication orders are received, it is essential that the Medication Administration Record (MAR) is updated to accurately reflect these changes. This update ensures that the medical staff and medication aides have the most current information to provide safe and effective medication administration to patients. Updating the MAR is a critical process because it prevents medication errors, ensures compliance with the physician’s orders, and helps maintain continuity in patient care. By modifying the MAR to reflect the new orders, it allows all healthcare providers involved in the patient's care to have access to the latest medication information, promoting safety and accountability. In contrast, ignoring the MAR until the next scheduling, leaving it unchanged until a review, or destroying it would compromise patient safety and hinder proper medication management. Thus, making the necessary changes to the MAR when new orders are received is the correct procedure to follow.