Missouri State Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

How often must a resident's drug regimen be reviewed?

1. Weekly

2. Monthly

3. Every 3 months

4. Annually

The correct answer is: Monthly

The review of a resident's drug regimen must occur monthly to ensure optimal health outcomes and medication safety. Conducting these reviews allows healthcare professionals to monitor for effectiveness, side effects, interactions, and the overall necessity of medications as a resident's condition may change. In nursing home settings, where residents may be on multiple medications due to various health issues, monthly reviews help to mitigate risks associated with polypharmacy, improve medication adherence, and support proper management of chronic conditions. This frequency aligns with regulatory standards and best practices in long-term care facilities to promote the highest quality of care for residents. Other intervals such as weekly might lead to unnecessary burden on staff and could be impractical considering the dynamics of care management. Reviews every three months or annually would not provide the timely oversight needed to adjust medications in response to the residents' changing health status or newly emerging medical conditions. Monthly reviews strike a balance between thoroughness and practicality in the context of ongoing care for residents.