RN Exam Practice
Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 692 of 2368

A nurse has leftover opioid medication after giving a prescribed dose. Which action protects the nurse's license?

  1. Return the drug to the cabinet without making a record of it
  2. Leave it at the client's bedside to be used for the next dose
  3. Waste the drug and document the wasting according to agency policy
  4. Document the amount as wasted without actually wasting the drug
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Correct answer: Waste the drug and document the wasting according to agency policy

Controlled substances must be wasted and documented per policy. Wastage errors are a common basis for allegations.

Source: Nursing Management and Professional Concepts, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Legal Implications: Actions to Protect Your License. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026