Pharmacology Proctored ATI Practice Exam

What action should a nurse take upon observing an expired medication vial?

1. Use it if it's within 6 months of expiration

2. Discard it immediately

3. Return the medication to the pharmacy

4. Contact the provider for a new order

The correct answer is: Return the medication to the pharmacy

Upon observing an expired medication vial, the nurse should return the medication to the pharmacy. This is the correct course of action because expired medications should not be used on patients due to potential changes in chemical composition, potency, and effectiveness after the expiration date. Using expired medication can be unsafe and ineffective for patients. Contacting the provider for a new order may delay treatment unnecessarily when the pharmacy can properly dispose of the expired medication. Discarding the medication immediately without following proper disposal procedures can also be harmful to the environment and potentially lead to accidental ingestion. Therefore, returning the medication to the pharmacy is the most appropriate action in this situation.