Can a resident self-administer medications?

• A. Yes, residents may keep medications locked in their room.
• B. No, they must be administered by staff
• C. Yes, always without supervision
• D. Only if prescribed by doctor

Answer: (B)

Safety and proper medication management in care facilities rely on trained staff administering every dose. The process follows checks and documentation to ensure the right resident, the right drug, the right dose, the right route, at the right time, for the right reason. Allowing residents to self-administer bypasses these safeguards, increasing the risk of errors, interactions, missed doses, and non-adherence, and it conflicts with standard procedures. A physician's prescription authorizes the medication, but administration is still handled by staff to ensure correct timing, secure storage, and accurate record-keeping. So, the standard rule is that medications are administered by staff, not by the resident themselves.