Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What is an important step before pouring medication from a bottle?

1. Check the expiration date

2. Shake the bottle

3. Open the cap

4. Read the instructions

The correct answer is: Check the expiration date

Checking the expiration date is crucial before pouring medication from a bottle because using expired medications can lead to ineffective treatment or potential harm to the patient. Medications can lose potency or change chemically over time, which might compromise their efficacy. Ensuring that the medication is still within its effective date is a vital part of safe medication administration. While shaking the bottle might be necessary for certain liquid medications to ensure uniform distribution of the active ingredients, it is not a universal step for all medications. Opening the cap is simply a preparatory action and does not contribute to safety or efficacy assessments. Reading the instructions is important as well, but verifying the expiration date is a fundamental safety check that should be prioritized to prevent adverse effects on the patient’s health.