Florida Home Health Aide Competency Practice Test

What is a permitted action for a home health aide regarding drug administration?

1. Adjust the medication dosage

2. Record and report patient reactions to medication

3. Hand out nonprescription medications

4. Change medication schedules

The correct answer is: Record and report patient reactions to medication

Recording and reporting patient reactions to medication is a key responsibility of a home health aide. This task is essential for monitoring the patient's well-being and ensuring any side effects or adverse reactions are promptly reported to a healthcare professional. By documenting observations accurately, the aide contributes to the overall care plan and helps in adjusting treatments if needed. This action is within the scope of practice for a home health aide, as it does not involve making clinical decisions about medications. Instead, it focuses on observing and communicating important information regarding how the patient is responding to prescribed treatments. This role is critical in maintaining the safety and health of patients under their care. The other actions, such as adjusting dosage, distributing nonprescription medications, or changing medication schedules, typically fall outside the aide's responsibilities and require the judgment of a licensed healthcare provider. These actions involve clinical decision-making that goes beyond the aide's training and scope of practice.