California Nursing Home Administrator License Practice Exam

What can unlicensed staff trained to assist with medication do according to healthcare provider's orders?

1. Apply patches and crush medications

2. Give eardrops and take blood pressure

3. Inject insulin and administer topical ointments

4. Pour liquid dosage and administer oral medications

The correct answer is: Apply patches and crush medications

The ability of unlicensed staff trained to assist with medication is subject to specific guidelines established by healthcare providers and regulatory agencies. Staff in these roles can perform certain tasks, but they must align with the scope of practice defined for unlicensed personnel in the healthcare setting. Applying patches and crushing medications falls within the scope of what unlicensed staff can do when properly trained and under the directive of healthcare provider's orders. These tasks typically involve medication administration techniques that do not require direct clinical assessments or invasive procedures, making them suitable for unlicensed personnel who have received the appropriate training. Crushing medications is often necessary for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills, and applying patches involves placing a medication delivery system on a patient’s skin, which, while it does require some knowledge of skin integrity and application technique, does not involve complex decision-making or invasive techniques. Unlicensed staff would have been trained to ensure they understand how to execute these tasks safely and effectively, adhering to the guidelines provided by healthcare providers. The other options involve either invasive procedures or critical clinical assessments, which generally exceed the permissible scope for unlicensed personnel without additional certification and training.