California Nursing Home Administrator License Practice Exam

If a resident’s daughter requests you to administer newly brought over-the-counter supplements, what should you advise?

1. Over-the-counter medications must be prescribed

2. You can administer them if the resident agrees

3. The daughter can provide the supplements to the resident herself

4. Administer them only after consulting a pharmacist

The correct answer is: Over-the-counter medications must be prescribed

The correct course of action involves recognizing that over-the-counter supplements should not be administered without proper oversight. These supplements can interact with other medications or underlying health conditions of the resident, potentially leading to adverse effects or complications. Therefore, it is essential to have a formal recommendation or prescription from a healthcare professional. Advising that over-the-counter medications must be prescribed aligns with the principle of ensuring resident safety and adherence to regulatory standards. It ensures that a qualified individual evaluates the appropriateness of the supplement for the resident’s specific health needs. This process promotes best practices in medication management and safeguards the well-being of the resident. Providing the supplements directly without a prescription might lead to unauthorized use of these products, which can violate health care regulations and put the resident at risk. Additionally, suggesting that the daughter administer the supplements herself could lead to confusion regarding responsibilities and could bypass important medical evaluations that ensure the safe use of these products.