Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What is the first step in administering medication via a feeding tube?

1. Administering the medication

2. Flushing the tube with water

3. Checking for placement of the tube

4. Preparing the medication

The correct answer is: Checking for placement of the tube

The first step in administering medication via a feeding tube is checking for the placement of the tube. This is crucial because confirming that the feeding tube is correctly positioned in the stomach or intestines ensures that the medication will be delivered properly and safely. If the tube is not in the right place, administering medication could lead to complications such as aspiration, where the medication enters the lungs instead of the digestive tract, posing serious health risks. After confirming tube placement, the other steps such as preparing the medication, flushing the tube with water, and administering the medication would follow. Each of these steps is important for the successful and safe administration of the medication, but verifying the tube's placement is always the priority to prevent potential harm to the patient.