Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

How do you prepare medication to be administered per G-tube?

1. Crush and dilute

2. Swallow whole with water

3. Rectally insert the tablet

4. Melt and pour down the tube

The correct answer is: Crush and dilute

Preparing medication for administration via a G-tube requires specific techniques to ensure safe and effective delivery. Crushing and diluting is the correct method because many medications can be in solid tablet form, which is not suitable for G-tube administration as is. Crushing the tablets allows them to be broken down into smaller particles, making it easier for them to dissolve and be absorbed once introduced into the gastrointestinal tract through the tube. Diluting the crushed medication with an appropriate liquid ensures that it reaches the desired consistency for easy passage through the tube. This method also helps to maintain the medication’s efficacy while preventing potential clogging of the G-tube, which can occur if the medication is not properly prepared. For the other methods listed: swallowing pills whole is not feasible with a G-tube, as that requires a functional swallowing mechanism. Rectal insertion of a tablet is not appropriate for G-tube administration, which is focused on gastrointestinal delivery. Melting and pouring medications could alter their properties and effectiveness, as many medications are not designed to be melted and could potentially lead to complications or ineffective treatment. Understanding the proper preparation of medications for G-tube administration is essential in the role of a Qualified Medication Aide to ensure patient safety and medication effectiveness.