North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for self-administration of medications by residents?

1. The resident must take their medication under supervision

2. The resident can choose any time to take their medication

3. The resident must demonstrate understanding of the medication

4. The resident has to be observed to take each dose of medication

The correct answer is: The resident has to be observed to take each dose of medication

Self-administration of medications by residents is designed to promote independence while ensuring safety and effectiveness in their treatment. A key aspect of self-administration is that residents should be able to manage their own medication regimens without needing constant supervision. For this reason, the requirement for a resident to be observed taking each dose of medication does not align with the principles of self-administration. Although monitoring and support may be necessary in certain cases, especially during the initial stages of the process, the core definition of self-administration means that the resident is ultimately responsible for taking their medication independently. The other requirements mentioned reinforce the resident's capability and understanding of their medication. They must have a good grasp of how to take their medication correctly, be aware of the timing that works best for them, and they may sometimes have supervision during their learning phase, but they are not required to be supervised during every instance of medication-taking once they demonstrate competence.