If a staff member claims they are waiting to refill a resident's prescription, what is the first course of action?

The correct response focuses on the importance of addressing medication gaps or delays through the proper chain of command, ensuring that issues are resolved efficiently and safely. Reporting the lack of action to management is crucial in this scenario because it escalates the matter to individuals who have the authority to take action and ensure the resident receives their medication without unnecessary delay.

This step also contributes to maintaining a high standard of care and safety for residents, as management can facilitate communication with the pharmacy, assess the situation, or implement solutions that staff members may not have the capacity to enact on their own. Effective communication within the team and with higher levels of management can prevent potential medication errors or adverse effects for the resident.

In other scenarios, notifying the family might create unnecessary alarm without addressing the core issue, and alone, assuming that the situation will resolve itself could lead to potentially serious repercussions for the resident’s health. Self-administering medication is outside the scope of practice for a trained staff member unless explicitly authorized, which emphasizes the need to follow established protocols regarding prescriptions and medication management.