Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 83%
Simulated
A nurse is preparing to administer an injection of an opioid medication to a client. The nurse draws out 1 mL of the medication from a 2 mL vial. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Lock the remaining medication in the controlled substances cabinet. This is the correct action because opioids are controlled substances that require strict security measures to prevent diversion or misuse. By locking the remaining medication in the controlled substances cabinet, the nurse ensures that it is securely stored and accounted for.
Choice A: Asking another nurse to observe the medication wastage is unnecessary in this situation as the remaining medication should be properly secured rather than observed.
Choice B: Notifying the pharmacy when wasting the medication may be required for documentation purposes, but it does not address the immediate need to secure the remaining medication.
Choice D: Disposing of the vial with the remaining medication in a sharps container is incorrect as it does not follow proper protocol for handling controlled substances.
In summary, choice C is the correct action as it aligns with the necessary security measures for handling opioids, while the other choices do not address the specific requirements for controlled substances.
Choice A: Asking another nurse to observe the medication wastage is unnecessary in this situation as the remaining medication should be properly secured rather than observed.
Choice B: Notifying the pharmacy when wasting the medication may be required for documentation purposes, but it does not address the immediate need to secure the remaining medication.
Choice D: Disposing of the vial with the remaining medication in a sharps container is incorrect as it does not follow proper protocol for handling controlled substances.
In summary, choice C is the correct action as it aligns with the necessary security measures for handling opioids, while the other choices do not address the specific requirements for controlled substances.