Content Outline
Summarizes the content outline of the Medication Aide certification exam
Authorized Duties (10% of test content)
A. Roles, responsibilities, legal aspects, and limitations of Medication Aides:
1. Authorized duties for a Medication Aide, including:
- Permitted routes of medication administration: oral, eye, ear, nasal, inhalant, transdermal, topical, vaginal, and rectal.
- Prohibited routes: subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, and intravascular injections and medications via tubes and ostomies.
2. Medication Aide's responsibility for reporting to a nurse.
3. How to address conflict with role and authorized duty issues.
4. Medication Aide role under state regulations:
- Completed an NC Board of Nursing approved course
- Completed a state-approved competency examination
- Listed on NC Medication Aide Registry
Medication Administration (80% Of Test Content)
A. Administering and charting medications:
1. Medication packaging
2. Preparation and administration of medications by approved routes
3. Special Circumstances for administering medications:
- Liquid medications
- Cutting medications
- Crushing medications
- Difficulty swallowing
- Administering medications to children
- Allergies
4. Correct medication administration procedure (Six rights)
- Right client
- Right medication
- Right dose
- Right route
- Right time
- Right documentation
5. Client medication rights, including the right to confidentiality and the right to know and refuse medications
6. Client safety and error prevention
7. Appropriate communication with supervising licensed nurse
8. Infection control procedures including standard precautions
9. Use of Medication Administration Record (MAR) to:
- Administer medications; and
- Document medication administration
10. Medication errors and reporting techniques
11. Auditing and inventory systems
- Controlled substance counts
- Disposition of unused or contaminated medications
Medication Concepts (10% of Test Content)
1. Concepts in administration of medications
- Commonly used abbreviations
- Terminology and definitions