Arkansas Long Term Care Administrator Practice Exam

Who holds primary responsibility for compliance with laws regarding drug procurement and administration?

1. Head nurse

2. Pharmacist

3. Charge nurse

4. The administrator

The correct answer is: The administrator

The administrator holds primary responsibility for compliance with laws regarding drug procurement and administration. In the context of long-term care facilities, the administrator is ultimately accountable for ensuring that the facility adheres to all regulatory requirements, including those related to medications. This encompasses overseeing policies and procedures that dictate how drugs are obtained, stored, and administered, while also ensuring that staff are trained and aware of legal obligations. While heads of nursing staff, such as head nurses or charge nurses, play vital roles in the day-to-day management of medication administration, their responsibilities fall within the framework established by the administrator. Pharmacists are essential in supplying medications and providing guidance on proper drug management, but they do so within a framework of regulations that the administrator must interpret and enforce for organizational compliance. Therefore, the administrator is the key figure responsible for the overall compliance landscape, ensuring that the facility aligns with local, state, and federal laws concerning drug procurement and administration.