Who should administer medications to children in care?

• A. The foster parent.
• B. Properly qualified personnel.
• C. Any staff member present.
• D. A family friend.

Answer: (B)

Medication administration must be handled by someone who is properly trained and authorized. In care settings, only staff who have completed required training and meet the agency’s policies are allowed to give medications. They understand dosage calculations, routes, timing, potential side effects, and how to verify prescriptions and allergies, plus how to document each dose and monitor the child. They also follow storage rules and any double-check processes to prevent mistakes.

Fostering caregivers play a critical daily role, but without the proper training and authorization, administering meds is unsafe. A family friend typically isn’t equipped with the required credentials, and allowing any untrained staff member to administer medications increases the risk of dosing errors, missed doses, or adverse reactions. Therefore, medications should be administered by properly qualified personnel.