Chapter 02: Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Aspects of Drug Administration
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. You have obtained a liquid narcotic for a patient in pain from the unit’s locked cabinet.
However, the dose was accidentally spilled before giving it to the patient. What is the best action
to take at this point?
a. Ask another nurse to cosign the inventory record describing the situation.
b. Immediately obtain another dose from the narcotic control system.
c. Document the occurrence in the drug record.
d. Clean up the spill and notify the supervisor.
ANS: A
Accounting for controlled substances is a legal requirement. If the drug is accidentally dropped,
contaminated, or spilled two nurses must sign the inventory report and describe the situation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 16
2. As you arrive to work, a nurse from the previous shift tells you that she has completed the
narcotic count for your shift. What action should be taken?
a. There is no need for any additional action as this is the standard procedure.
b. Accept the keys to the narcotic cabinet and recount the drugs yourself.
c. Recount the narcotics again with a nurse from the previous shift.
d. Recount the drugs yourself at the end of your shift.
ANS: C
, At the end of each shift, the contents of the locked cabinet are counted together by one nurse
from each shift in order to verify the narcotics count. If not done properly, the nurse risks being
held accountable for any shortages or discrepancies, and may be found guilty of falsifying the
narcotic count records.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 16
3. A one-time order for a controlled substance drug has been written for a patient you are caring
for. However, the drug ordered is available only in a larger dose than is needed. What should you
do with the remaining drug?
a. Give the full dose that is available.
b. Flush the remaining drug in the toilet of the patient’s bathroom.
c. Save the remaining drug in case the patient needs it again.
d. Have another nurse to witness wasting of the leftover drug, and document according to policy.
ANS: C
If the ordered dose is smaller than the dose provided (so that some drug must be discarded), two
nurses witness the wasting of the drug, and sign the controlled substance inventory report
according to institution policy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 16
4. An elderly patient in an assisted living home requests an over-the-counter cough preparation
for a mild cough she is experiencing.
What is your best response?
a. “I do not have any of this drug for you at this time, but can give you a dose from another
patient’s supply.”
b. “I will bring it to you right away, but I must keep it with your other prescription drugs.”
c. “I will need to contact your healthcare provider for an order before I can give this drug to you.”
d. “You may have this, but your family will need to bring it in for you.”
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. You have obtained a liquid narcotic for a patient in pain from the unit’s locked cabinet.
However, the dose was accidentally spilled before giving it to the patient. What is the best action
to take at this point?
a. Ask another nurse to cosign the inventory record describing the situation.
b. Immediately obtain another dose from the narcotic control system.
c. Document the occurrence in the drug record.
d. Clean up the spill and notify the supervisor.
ANS: A
Accounting for controlled substances is a legal requirement. If the drug is accidentally dropped,
contaminated, or spilled two nurses must sign the inventory report and describe the situation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 16
2. As you arrive to work, a nurse from the previous shift tells you that she has completed the
narcotic count for your shift. What action should be taken?
a. There is no need for any additional action as this is the standard procedure.
b. Accept the keys to the narcotic cabinet and recount the drugs yourself.
c. Recount the narcotics again with a nurse from the previous shift.
d. Recount the drugs yourself at the end of your shift.
ANS: C
, At the end of each shift, the contents of the locked cabinet are counted together by one nurse
from each shift in order to verify the narcotics count. If not done properly, the nurse risks being
held accountable for any shortages or discrepancies, and may be found guilty of falsifying the
narcotic count records.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 16
3. A one-time order for a controlled substance drug has been written for a patient you are caring
for. However, the drug ordered is available only in a larger dose than is needed. What should you
do with the remaining drug?
a. Give the full dose that is available.
b. Flush the remaining drug in the toilet of the patient’s bathroom.
c. Save the remaining drug in case the patient needs it again.
d. Have another nurse to witness wasting of the leftover drug, and document according to policy.
ANS: C
If the ordered dose is smaller than the dose provided (so that some drug must be discarded), two
nurses witness the wasting of the drug, and sign the controlled substance inventory report
according to institution policy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding REF: p. 16
4. An elderly patient in an assisted living home requests an over-the-counter cough preparation
for a mild cough she is experiencing.
What is your best response?
a. “I do not have any of this drug for you at this time, but can give you a dose from another
patient’s supply.”
b. “I will bring it to you right away, but I must keep it with your other prescription drugs.”
c. “I will need to contact your healthcare provider for an order before I can give this drug to you.”
d. “You may have this, but your family will need to bring it in for you.”
