ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7ReadingMedium
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's intake form. The patient indicates they have 'allergies to penicillin,' but the medication list includes 'amoxicillin.' The medical assistant should immediately recognize this as a potential discrepancy and act to clarify the information. What is the most appropriate initial action for the medical assistant?
- AFlag the discrepancy and inform the prescribing provider.
- BAsk the patient if they are also allergic to amoxicillin.
- CAdminister the amoxicillin as prescribed.
- DRemove amoxicillin from the medication list.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Flag the discrepancy and inform the prescribing provider.
Penicillin and amoxicillin are both penicillin-class antibiotics, meaning a penicillin allergy often extends to amoxicillin. This is a critical safety issue. The medical assistant's role is to identify the discrepancy and escalate it to the provider for clarification and resolution, not to make independent medication decisions or solely rely on patient memory without provider consultation.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. While asking the patient is part of clarification, the ultimate decision and responsibility for medication changes in light of an allergy rests with the prescribing provider, who must be informed promptly.
- C. Administering a medication with a potential allergy is a critical patient safety error.
- D. Removing medication without provider consultation is outside the medical assistant's scope of practice and could lead to undertreatment.
Medication Discrepancy Protocol
The established procedure for healthcare professionals to follow when inconsistencies or potential errors are identified in a patient's medication information.
- Prioritizes patient safety.
- Requires immediate action to clarify.
- Involves informing the prescribing provider.
Memory trick: DISCREPANCY: Don't Ignore, Clarify, Report, Escalate, Protect Patient.