Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 83%
Simulated
While shopping for an over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressant, the nurse identifies that the medication will be classified as a:
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Nonscheduled medication. OTC cough suppressants are available without a prescription and are generally considered safe for self-administration. They do not fall under any specific schedule classification by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Schedule III, Schedule I, and Schedule V medications are all controlled substances with varying degrees of restrictions and regulations for prescribing and dispensing. Therefore, OTC cough suppressants do not fit into any of these categories.