If a resident is using the bathroom during medication administration, what is an acceptable action?

Flagging the Medication Administration Record (MAR) to remind you to return later is an appropriate action when a resident is using the bathroom during medication administration. This approach ensures that the medications are administrated in a timely manner without compromising the resident’s privacy and needs. By marking the MAR, you create a reminder for yourself to come back and provide the necessary medication once the resident is done, promoting both safety and adherence to medication schedules.

Leaving medications at the bedside, waiting outside the door, or administering medications to another resident may lead to safety and ethical concerns, such as potentially forgetting to return, exposing the medication to contamination, or administering medication incorrectly or to the wrong person without being present to confirm the right patient. Thus, marking the MAR is a balanced approach that considers the individual's dignity and the requirement for timely medication administration.