Arizona Certified Caregiver Practice Exam

What action should you take if you give a resident the wrong medication?

1. Apologize and ignore the incident

2. Document the error and inform the family

3. Immediately report the error to the supervisor

4. Blame the pharmacy for the mistake

The correct answer is: Immediately report the error to the supervisor

If a caregiver gives a resident the wrong medication, the correct action to take is to immediately report the error to the supervisor (Option C). This is crucial for several reasons. Reporting the error to the supervisor allows for prompt and appropriate medical intervention to mitigate any potential harm or adverse effects that might result from the incorrect medication being administered. It also ensures that the error can be documented accurately and steps can be taken to prevent similar mistakes in the future. Option A is not appropriate because ignoring the incident can lead to serious consequences for the resident's health and well-being. Option B includes part of the correct action (documenting the error) but does not prioritize reporting the error to the supervisor, which is essential. Option D is not appropriate as blaming the pharmacy does not address the caregiver's accountability in administering the wrong medication. Reporting the error to the supervisor is crucial in such situations to ensure the resident's safety and well-being.