Arkansas Long Term Care Administrator Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT required on medication cards?

1. Name of patient

2. Dosage amount

3. Date of birth

4. Room or bed number

The correct answer is: Date of birth

The requirement for medication cards is primarily to ensure clarity and accuracy in the administration of medications to patients. Typically, such cards include crucial details that are pertinent for healthcare providers when administering medications, and understanding patient information is essential to avoid medication errors and ensure proper care. The name of the patient is essential to identify who the medication is for, ensuring that the correct medication is given to the right individual. The dosage amount is also critical, as it specifies how much of the medication should be administered, which is directly tied to the patient's health and treatment plan. Additionally, including the room or bed number on medication cards helps healthcare providers easily locate the patient, particularly in larger facilities where many patients are present. While the date of birth can be an important piece of information in certain contexts, such as identifying patients, it is not strictly necessary for the medication card itself. The primary purpose of a medication card revolves around mediating the administration and tracking of medications rather than verifying personal identification details that do not directly relate to medication management. Therefore, while patient identification is crucial, the date of birth is not a required detail on a medication card.