Question

A patient calls into the office to report that a medication is not working. Which of the following responses should the medical assistant make?

a. Discontinue the medication immediately
b. Advise the patient to double the dose
c. Instruct the patient to continue taking the medication and schedule a follow-up appointment
d. Ignore the patient's concerns, as it is a common side effect

Answer 1

The medical assistant should instruct the patient to continue taking the medication and schedule a follow-up appointment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The medical assistant should respond by instructing the patient to continue taking the medication and scheduling a follow-up appointment. This allows the healthcare provider to assess the patient's response to the medication and make any necessary adjustments. Discontinuing the medication immediately or doubling the dose without medical guidance can be potentially harmful. Ignoring the patient's concerns is not appropriate, as their reported lack of effectiveness should be addressed.