(a) A medication aide under Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 242, Subchapter N, may:
(1) observe and report to the facility's charge licensed nurse reactions and side effects to medication shown by a resident;
(2) take and record vital signs before the administration of medication that could affect or change the vital signs;
(3) administer regularly prescribed medication to a resident if the medication aide:
(4) administer oxygen per nasal cannula or a non-sealing mask only in an emergency, after which the medication aide must verbally notify the licensed nurse on duty or on call and appropriately document the action and notification;
(5) apply specifically ordered ophthalmic, otic, nasal, vaginal, and rectal medication;
(6) administer previously ordered PRN medication, if:
(7) measure a prescribed amount of a liquid medication to be administered to a resident;
(8) break a tablet to be administered to a resident, if:
(9) crush medication, if the medication aide:
(10) electronically order a refill of medication from a pharmacy, if the refill request is signed by the licensed nurse on duty or on call.
(b) A medication aide under Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 242, Subchapter N, may not:
(1) administer medication by the injection route including:
(2) administer medication used for intermittent positive pressure breathing treatments or any form of medication inhalation treatments;
(3) administer previously ordered PRN medication, except in accordance with subsection (a)(6) of this section;
(4) administer medication that, according to the resident's clinical records, has not been previously administered to the resident;
(5) calculate a resident's medication doses for administration;
(6) crush medication, except in accordance with subsection (a)(9) of this section;
(7) administer medications or feedings by way of a tube inserted in a cavity of the body;
(8) receive or assume responsibility for reducing to writing a verbal or telephone order from a healthcare professional;
(9) order a resident's medications from a pharmacy, except in accordance with subsection (a)(10) of this section;
(10) apply topical medications that involve the treatment of skin that is broken or blistered or when a specified aseptic technique is ordered by the attending physician;
(11) steal, divert, or otherwise misuse medication;
(12) violate any provision of the Texas Health and Safety Code or this chapter;
(13) fraudulently procure or attempt to procure a permit;
(14) neglect to administer appropriate medications, as prescribed, in a responsible manner; or
(15) administer medications if the person is unable to do so with reasonable skill and safety to residents by reason of drunkenness or excessive use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type of material.
(c) If a practice is not described in subsection (a) of this section the practice is prohibited for a medication aide under Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 242, Subchapter N.
Source Note: The provisions of this §557.105 adopted to be effective September 24, 2018, 43 TexReg 6328