CMA - 7 Rights of Medication Administration

A CMA is preparing morning medications for Mr. James. She checks his room number and bed number, but does not ask his name, check his wristband, ask staff, or compare the MAR picture. Which right is at risk?

Right resident

The MAR lists a medication as 25 mg, but the bottle label says 50 mg tablets. The CMA gives one tablet without asking the nurse. Which right is at risk?

Right dose

A medication is ordered before meals. The CMA gives it after the resident finishes breakfast. Which right is at risk?

Right time

A resident says, “That is not my usual pill.” The CMA tells the resident the pharmacy probably changed brands and gives it without rechecking. Which right is at risk?

Right medication

The CMA gives a sublingual tablet with a full glass of water instead of placing it under the tongue. Which right is at risk?

Right technique

The CMA gives a medication but forgets to document the dose. Which right is at risk?

Right documentation

The MAR says the medication is to be applied as a patch, but the CMA gives the oral tablet form from the cart. Which right is at risk?

Right route

A CMA prepares medications for two residents at the same time to save time during the medication pass. Which right is at risk?

Right medication

A resident is sitting in the dining room without an ID band. The CMA recognizes her but does not use any approved identification method before giving medication. Which right is at risk?

Right resident

A resident is ordered 10 mL of liquid medication. The CMA uses a regular drinking spoon because the medicine cup is missing. Which right is at risk?

Right dose

A routine medication is scheduled for 0900. The facility allows a one-hour window, but the CMA gives it at 1130 without checking with the nurse. Which right is at risk?

Right time

The CMA documents using the wrong clock time for when the medication was given. Which right is at risk?

Right documentation

The CMA does not recognize the route abbreviation on the MAR but gives the medication anyway. Which right is at risk?

Right route

A CMA accepts a cup of medications from another aide and gives them to the resident because the other aide says they are correct. Which right is at risk?

Right medication

A resident has difficulty swallowing a tablet. The CMA gives the medication without notifying the licensed nurse. Which right is at risk?

Right route

The CMA applies a medication patch but does not follow the proper patch procedure. Which right is at risk?

Right technique

The dose on the MAR is unclear. The CMA tries to figure it out instead of contacting the licensed nurse. Which right is at risk?

Right dose

A medication is ordered on an empty stomach. The CMA gives it with food because the resident asks for crackers. Which right is at risk?

Right time

The CMA compares the resident’s MAR picture to the resident, but the resident does not look like the picture. The CMA gives the medication anyway. Which right is at risk?

Right resident

The CMA documents before administration. The resident then refuses, but the CMA does not circle initials or document the refusal. Which right is at risk?

Right documentation

A CMA removes a pill from a unit-dose package and notices the medication name does not match the MAR exactly. She gives it because “it is probably the same thing.” Which right is at risk?

Right medication

A resident is slow to swallow pills. The CMA walks away before making sure the full dose was taken. Which right is at risk?

Right dose

A Parkinson’s medication is ordered to be given at an exact time, but the CMA gives it late because routine meds have a time window. Which right is at risk?

Right time

The CMA is unsure how to administer an ordered medication form but gives it without reviewing the correct technique. Which right is at risk?

Right technique

A CMA reads the medication label once when removing it from the cart but does not complete the required label checks. Which right is at risk?

Right medication