Is it permissible to share or borrow medications among residents?

Is it permissible to share or borrow medications among residents?

• A. No; medications must not be shared, and each dose must be given to the resident for whom it is prescribed.
• B. Yes, when someone is short.
• C. Only if the other resident approves.
• D. Only for PRN medications.

Answer: (A)

Medication safety relies on each resident receiving the exact medication prescribed for them, with the correct dose, route, and time. Medications should never be shared or borrowed between residents. Sharing can lead to giving the wrong dose to the wrong person, missing important instructions, or causing harmful drug interactions or allergies, and it creates accountability and documentation problems since the medication is ordered and labeled for a specific resident. If a dose is needed and someone is short, follow the facility’s protocol to obtain the proper supply or contact the supervisor or pharmacy—do not substitute or borrow. The same rule applies to PRN medications; even as-needed doses must be given according to the individual order. In short, each dose stays with the resident for whom it was prescribed.

Medication safety relies on each resident receiving the exact medication prescribed for them, with the correct dose, route, and time. Medications should never be shared or borrowed between residents. Sharing can lead to giving the wrong dose to the wrong person, missing important instructions, or causing harmful drug interactions or allergies, and it creates accountability and documentation problems since the medication is ordered and labeled for a specific resident. If a dose is needed and someone is short, follow the facility’s protocol to obtain the proper supply or contact the supervisor or pharmacy—do not substitute or borrow. The same rule applies to PRN medications; even as-needed doses must be given according to the individual order. In short, each dose stays with the resident for whom it was prescribed.