North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

Which of the following practices is key to preventing medication errors?

1. Rushing through medication rounds

2. Never questioning prescribed medications

3. Performing double checks on dosages and routes

4. Always administering medications with food

The correct answer is: Performing double checks on dosages and routes

Performing double checks on dosages and routes is a crucial practice in preventing medication errors. This involves verifying that the medication, dosage, and administration route match what has been prescribed. This step adds an additional layer of safety, ensuring that any potential mistakes made during the initial prescription or during preparation can be caught before administering the medication to the patient. Additionally, the process of double-checking helps to reinforce accuracy and supports accountability among medication aides and healthcare professionals. It fosters a culture of safety where verifying and confirming details becomes standard practice, ultimately enhancing patient care and reducing the risks associated with medication errors. In contrast, rushing through medication rounds can lead to oversight and mistakes. Not questioning prescribed medications ignores the importance of critical thinking and advocacy for patient safety. While administering medications with food is relevant to certain medications, it is not universally applicable and does not directly influence the accuracy of medication administration in the same way that double-checking does.