Illinois Nursing Home Administrators (NHA) Practice Exam

Which of the following best illustrates proper medication storage practices?

1. All medications kept in one cabinet regardless of type

2. Separating prescribed lotions, creams, and oral medications

3. Storing medications in a multi-user area for convenience

4. Using the same route for medication administration

The correct answer is: Separating prescribed lotions, creams, and oral medications

The best choice to illustrate proper medication storage practices is separating prescribed lotions, creams, and oral medications. Effective storage practices involve organizing medications based on their type and intended use to prevent potential mix-ups and ensure proper handling. Different types of medications, such as topical treatments (lotions and creams) and oral medications, can have distinct storage requirements and usage protocols. By separating them, staff can avoid confusion during administration, which is critical for patient safety. Proper medication storage also aids in easy retrieval and helps staff maintain the integrity of the medications. For example, certain topical medications may require storage in a cool, dark place, while oral medications might have different conditions. Therefore, categorizing and clearly storing medications helps promote an organized system that supports adherence to best practices in medication management. The other options highlight practices that could compromise patient safety and effective medication management, such as mixing all medications in one cabinet or storing them in a multi-user area that could lead to contamination or errors in administration.