During medication administration, what can happen if a medication is ingested by someone other than the intended resident?

When a medication is ingested by someone other than the intended resident, a variety of serious consequences can arise, making the choice that includes all potential outcomes the most accurate.

First, negative health effects could arise because medications are specifically prescribed for individuals based on their unique medical conditions, history, allergies, and current medications. If a different resident consumes a medication not meant for them, it could lead to adverse reactions, including unexpected side effects or complications that might require medical intervention.

Additionally, the situation could cause confusion. Different residents may have varying dosages or types of medications, and if someone takes another person’s medication, it can lead to misunderstandings about their care and impact how staff manage their health needs.

Finally, ingesting the wrong medication can also invalidate the medication order. If the intended resident does not receive their prescribed medication at the proper time, it can disrupt their treatment plan and negatively affect their health management, essentially rendering the medical order ineffective.

In summary, the ingestion of medication by someone other than the intended resident can lead to negative health outcomes, confusion regarding the residents' medication regimes, and potential invalidation of medication orders, which underscores the importance of careful medication administration.