North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

How should you handle medications that are near expiration?

1. Administer them if there's still some time left

2. Discard them immediately

3. Consult with the nursing staff

4. Keep them for future use

The correct answer is: Consult with the nursing staff

Consulting with the nursing staff is the correct action when it comes to handling medications that are near expiration. This approach is essential for ensuring patient safety and adhering to the proper protocols regarding medication management. The nursing staff can provide guidance on whether the medication can still be administered safely or if alternative options should be considered. In a healthcare setting, it is crucial to have clear lines of communication regarding medications to prevent potential risks associated with expired drugs. The nursing staff may also have access to policies or protocols regarding the disposal of near-expiration medications, which ensures compliance with regulations and standards of care. Other responses may not take into account the importance of medical oversight. Simply administering the medication based on a perception that there might still be some effectiveness could pose a risk. Discarding medications immediately without consulting the nursing staff may lead to unnecessary waste or the loss of a medication that could still be utilized safely. Keeping them for future use is typically not advisable, as it poses a risk of administering expired medications, which can have variable effects on patients.