Massachusetts MAP Certification Practice Test

Which action is a critical part of medication administration?

1. Checking the expiration date

2. Giving medication without verification

3. Administering extra doses if the patient prefers

4. Skipping patient verification

The correct answer is: Checking the expiration date

Checking the expiration date is a fundamental practice in medication administration because it ensures that the medication will be effective and safe for the patient to use. Medications can degrade over time, potentially leading to reduced efficacy or harmful effects if expired drugs are consumed. By verifying the expiration date prior to administration, healthcare providers help maintain patient safety and therapeutic effectiveness. Other choices involve actions that compromise safety standards in medication administration. Giving medication without verification fails to confirm the correct patient, dosage, and route, increasing the risk of errors. Administering extra doses based on patient preference disregards established protocols and could lead to overdosing. Skipping patient verification eliminates a critical safety check that verifies the identity of the patient receiving the medication. All of these actions can pose significant risks to patient health.