When providing medications, what should a CRMA do if a medication looks different than expected?

When a Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA) encounters a medication that looks different than expected, verifying the medication with the Medication Administration Record (MAR) before administering is essential. The MAR serves as the official documentation that details each resident's prescribed medications, including their appearances, dosages, and administration times.

By checking the MAR, the CRMA can confirm whether the medication is indeed what was prescribed, which could include variations in color, shape, size, or packaging due to manufacturer changes or generic alternatives. This step is critical to ensure patient safety and to avoid potential administration errors, which could lead to severe health consequences.

The other options do not prioritize patient safety effectively. Administering the medication without verification risks giving the wrong medication, while discarding it without checking may lead to wastage or failure to provide necessary treatment. Waiting for further instructions could lead to unnecessary delays in care. Therefore, verifying the medication against the MAR is the most responsible and safest action.