What is a potential outcome of not updating the MAR with new medication orders?

Updating the Medication Administration Record (MAR) with new medication orders is crucial to ensure patient safety and accurate medication delivery. When the MAR is not updated, one potential outcome is that medication could be mistakenly administered without proper authorization. This means that a staff member may inadvertently give a resident a medication that should not be given, whether because it was discontinued, changed, or a new medication was prescribed that hasn't been recorded. This kind of error can lead to serious health risks, including adverse drug interactions or administering a medication the patient is no longer supposed to receive.

The other potential outcomes do not align with best practices in medication management. Over-medication is a risk, but it follows from various factors, including lack of communication about the medication plan. Better outcomes for the resident would not result from neglecting to update the MAR; in fact, proper documentation is essential to achieving positive results. Thus, the correct choice emphasizes the critical need for meticulous updates to maintain patient safety and integrity in medication administration.