A patient's liquid cough medicine has been discontinued with one half of the bottle remaining. The home health nurse is aware that according to the U.S

Question

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines on prescription medication disposal, the next step should be to
a. save the remainder for another patient with the same prescription.
b. flush the remainder down the toilet.
c. read the drug label for specific disposal instructions.
d. pour remaining medication into a hazardous waste container.

Answer 1

ANS: C
The nurse must follow specific disposal instructions on the drug label or in the patient information leaflet that accompanies the medication. Prescription medications should not be shared among patients. Prescription drugs should not be flushed down the toilet unless specifically instructed to do so by the manufacturer. The first action to be taken is to follow disposal instructions on the label. If the drug label indicates it should be emptied into a hazardous waste container, measures should be taken to prevent leaking and/or accidental ingestion.