Title: Identify legal and ethical issues in medication management.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-18) > Section: Examining Legal and Ethical Issues in Medication Management

Identification should include

- the differences between ethical standards and legal standards
  - ethical standards are guides to moral behavior
  - legal standards are guides to legal behavior

- issues of importance to the medication aide
  - working within the scope of practice
  - performing only those acts for which they have been trained
  - keeping skills and knowledge up to date
  - requesting help before acting in a questionable situation
  - protecting the safety and well-being of the resident
  - performing the job according to facility policy

- knowledge of consequences for violation of ethical or legal standards
  - loss of registration
  - loss of eligibility to work in assisted living facilities (ALF)
  - disciplinary action by the facility and/or the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON).

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are some ethical issues that could affect client care?
- How do ethical issues differ from legal issues?
- How can confidentiality be an ethical, as well as legal, issue?
- What is the role of the ethics committee in healthcare facilities?
- How could a visit to the VBON be beneficial to a student?
- What are some ethical scenario issues?