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. What should the nurse do with the unused portion after administration?

  • A. Store it in the medication cart for later use
  • B. Discard it with a witness present
  • C. Return it to the pharmacy
  • D. Report it to the provider
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take with the unused portion of a narcotic medication after administration is to discard it with a witness present. This procedure is necessary to comply with controlled substance regulations and prevent diversion or misuse of the medication. Storing it in the medication cart for later use is inappropriate as it can lead to unauthorized access. Returning it to the pharmacy is not recommended as the medication has already been dispensed. Reporting it to the provider is not the standard procedure for disposing of controlled substances.