Amberfire

On a continuing education video for certified medication aides it says that after giving PRN meds the Med Aide is supposed to do a "follow up" 45 minutes to 1 hour later to find out if the "problem" the medication was given for still exists. For example; the med aide should ask, "Does your back still hurt?" or "How is your headache?" I am a CNA and have never worked as a Med Aide yet. I have passed the state test for Med Aide. However, my class training was so poor and insufficient. I'm trying to learn all I can, on my own, before I attempt to work in a facility. Anyway, It seems to me that the 'follow up" I described above ---( that they say the medication aide is supposed to do) is an "assessment" that should only be done by a nurse. Am I wrong? What is the difference between a "follow up" and an "assessment"?

I am a CNA and passed my state test for Medication Aide role. My class training was not very comprehensive and actually was surprisingly sparce. I am a very conscientious/ perfectionistic sort of person and want to do all I can to pass meds safely when I am hired by a facility. I am trying to learn, on my own, the things the class did not clarify. There is a website I came across for continuing education of med aides. It says on this website that the med aide should be able to identify the resident in any setting (in their room, dining room, etc.). It says the med aide should --get to know each resident's facial features, posture, hands, and body movements. It continues to explain that the med aide should not look at the resident's glasses or clothing to identify them, because other residents could be wearing the same clothes. This advice seems faulty to me because I learned that medication aides should not rely on memorizing residents/patients by sight AT ALL. Also, that med aides should definantly NOT rely on memorizing what meds or doses each resident should get because it could change at any time. So, always follow the MAR. I was taught that you always have to ask each resident their name plus possibly one other identifier each and every time you give them meds. Can someone who has passed meds for a while enlighten me on this situation please? What is normally done in LTC/rehab setting? Would be happy to hear what is done in other settings as well. Although, I will probably be getting a position in a SNF/LTC. Thank you.