If an individual refuses medication, which action is most appropriate?

• A. Ask why they are refusing
• B. Encourage them to take it
• C. Re-offer medications and tell them how important it is
• D. Document refusal on the MAR

Answer: (D)

When a patient refuses a medication, the most important action is to document the refusal on the medication administration record. This creates an accurate, legal record of what happened, prevents any chance of inadvertently giving the dose, and alerts the care team that the medication was not administered. It also supports appropriate follow-up, such as discussing the reasons with the patient and, if allowed by policy, re-offering the medication later. After updating the MAR, you can engage with the patient to understand their concerns and decide on next steps, but the essential first step is to record the refusal on the MAR.