DODD Medication Pass Certification Practice Exam

When a side effect appears after a med pass, the safest action is to stop or hold the medication as ordered, notify the nurse or physician, monitor the resident, and document the reaction and the action taken. This prevents continued exposure to the drug causing the reaction and brings in experienced guidance to decide the next steps. Monitoring allows you to track whether symptoms worsen, improve, or stay the same, keeping the resident safe. Documentation creates a clear record for ongoing care and future medication decisions, including what was observed, what was done, and who was informed. Do not try to overcome side effects by increasing the dose, ignore the symptoms, or switch medications without proper authorization.