Ace the DODD Med Pass 2026 – Conquer the Certification Challenge!

When a resident is NPO, no medication should be given by mouth. The correct course is to hold the oral meds and inform the nurse so they can determine an alternative route or issue a new order. This protects the resident from aspiration and ensures the medication is delivered in the way the prescriber intended. Giving the medication with even a small amount of water bypasses the NPO status and introduces risk. Switching to IV without an order isn’t appropriate because it requires a specific order and formulation. Skipping the medication isn’t the default; the nurse can decide the best alternative or confirm a different plan.