Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

Which healthcare professional usually prescribes medications that a QMA can administer?

1. Nurse Practitioner

2. Pharmacy Technician

3. Physician

4. Physical Therapist

The correct answer is: Physician

The role of medication prescription typically falls under the purview of healthcare professionals who have the authority to evaluate patients and determine appropriate treatment plans, including medication management. Physicians, who are medical doctors with extensive training in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of health conditions, are primarily responsible for prescribing medications. They perform assessments, order tests, and based on their findings, prescribe medications to manage patient care. Nurse practitioners, while also authorized to prescribe medications, operate under a collaborative practice model and often do so in conjunction with physicians. Pharmacy technicians do not have the authority to prescribe medications; their role involves assisting pharmacists in dispensing medications but does not include prescribing duties. Physical therapists focus on rehabilitation and movement therapies, not on medication management or prescription. Therefore, among the options provided, the physician is the healthcare professional whose role includes the direct responsibility of prescribing medications that a Qualified Medication Aide can then administer following the established protocols.