What are the guidelines for medication administration in nursing homes?

The accurate guideline for medication administration in nursing homes is that medications must be administered as prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals. This principle is critical to ensuring the safety and efficacy of treatment for residents. Licensed healthcare professionals, such as physicians or nurse practitioners, undertake a thorough evaluation of each resident's health needs, which informs their prescription decisions.

Administering medications according to the prescribed regimen minimizes the risk of adverse effects and ensures that the treatment aligns with the individual resident's medical history and conditions. This adherence also complies with regulatory standards designed to protect the health and well-being of the residents in long-term care facilities.

The other options do not align with best practices and regulations surrounding medication administration. For example, having any staff member administer medications could lead to serious errors, as not all staff are trained and qualified to understand the complexities involved in medication management. Giving medications only during scheduled rounds does not account for specific timing needs related to certain medications that may require administration outside of those times. Finally, substituting prescribed medications with over-the-counter options can undermine treatment effectiveness and could result in harmful interactions or uncontrolled symptoms. Therefore, strict adherence to prescribed medications is imperative in nursing home settings.