A nurse has withdrawn a narcotic from the medication dispenser and must waste a portion of the medication. What should the nurse do?
A) Have another nurse witness the wasted medication.
B) Return the wasted medication to the medication dispenser.
C) Place the wasted portion of the medication in the sharps container.
D) Exit the medication room to call the health care provider to request an order that matches the dosages.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should follow Nurse Practice Acts and safe narcotic administration guidelines by having a nurse witness the "wasted" medication. The nurse cannot return the wasted medication to the medication dispenser. Wasted portions of medications are not placed in sharps containers. The nurse should not leave the narcotic unattended and call the health care provider to obtain matching dosages; the nurse is expected to obtain the correct dose.

A Nurse Has Withdrawn a Narcotic from the Medication Dispenser