Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 91%
Simulated
The nurse is preparing a medication for a client and observes the date of expiration on the vial occurred 2 months ago. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Discard the medication. Expired medications may lose potency or become ineffective, potentially causing harm. By discarding the expired medication, the nurse ensures the client's safety. Returning to the pharmacy (A) is not appropriate as it could mistakenly be dispensed to another client. Notifying the provider (C) may be necessary but is not the immediate action. Giving the medication (D) is unsafe.