ATI Capstone Fundamentals Assessment Proctored Related

Review ATI Capstone Fundamentals Assessment Proctored related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a narcotic medication. After administration, what should the nurse do with the unused portion?

  • A. Document the amount wasted
  • B. Store it for later use
  • C. Discard it with another nurse as a witness
  • D. Return it to the pharmacy
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: After administering a narcotic medication, any unused portion should be discarded with another nurse as a witness. This procedure ensures proper disposal of controlled substances and prevents misuse or diversion. Storing it for later use (Choice B) is not appropriate due to safety concerns and legal regulations. Returning it to the pharmacy (Choice D) is also not recommended as the medication is already out of the pharmacy's control. Documenting the amount wasted (Choice A) is important for accurate record-keeping but does not address the immediate need for safe disposal of the unused narcotic medication.