After withdrawing morphine for injection, what should the nurse do with excess medication?

When handling excess medication, particularly controlled substances like morphine, it is critical to follow strict protocols to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. In this case, having a second nurse witness the disposal is the appropriate course of action. This practice helps maintain accountability and reduces the risk of misuse or diversion of the medication. The presence of a second nurse provides verification that the excess medication is disposed of properly and ensures that both nurses are aware of the amount of medication that was unused.

This procedure is typically outlined in institutional policies regarding controlled substances. Proper documentation of the disposal process with a witness serves to protect both the patient and the healthcare professionals involved by providing a record that can be referenced if needed.

Other disposal methods—such as returning the medication to the vial, using a sharps container, or flushing it down the toilet—are inappropriate for excess injectable medications for various reasons, including the potential for contamination, loss of medication accountability, and environmental concerns. Therefore, the correct action of having a witness reinforces best practices in medication management within healthcare settings.