Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What is QMA prohibited from doing in their practice?

1. Calling a physician

2. Administering meds through a nasogastric tube

3. Assessing a resident

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) have specific roles and responsibilities outlined by regulations that govern their practice to ensure safe and effective medication administration. One of the key prohibitions is that they cannot perform assessments or make clinical judgments regarding a resident's condition. This limitation is in place to ensure that a licensed nurse or physician, with the appropriate training, handles any assessment of a resident's needs or changes in health status. Additionally, QMAs are also prohibited from calling a physician directly regarding a resident's medical condition. They must communicate with a licensed nurse who will then interact with the physician if necessary. This guideline ensures that all communications regarding medical care flows through appropriate channels, maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to protocol. The administration of medications through a nasogastric tube is another critical restriction. This route requires specialized knowledge and skills that fall beyond the QMA's scope of practice, ensuring this task is performed by qualified nursing personnel. In summary, the correct answer encompasses all the prohibitions placed on a QMA's practice, highlighting the importance of their defined limitations to ensure safe and effective patient care.