Arizona Certified Caregiver Practice Exam

What is the appropriate course of action when a significant amount of medication is missing from the cabinet?

1. Blame a colleague for the loss

2. Notify the patient

3. Report the medication loss to the manager

4. Replace the missing medication without documentation

The correct answer is: Report the medication loss to the manager

When a significant amount of medication is missing from the cabinet, the appropriate course of action is to report the medication loss to the manager (Option C). This is crucial because it is important to document any discrepancies in medication inventory and notify the appropriate authorities to investigate the situation further. This helps in maintaining transparency, accountability, and ensuring the overall safety and well-being of the patients. Blaming a colleague for the loss (Option A) is inappropriate and unprofessional, as it does not address the issue at hand and may cause unnecessary conflict. Notifying the patient (Option B) should not be the first action taken, as it is important to first investigate and address the cause of the missing medication. Replacing the missing medication without documentation (Option D) is also not the correct course of action, as it can lead to serious consequences such as improper medication administration, legal issues, and potentially harm to the patients. Therefore, the best action to take in this scenario is to report the medication loss to the manager for further investigation and appropriate resolution.