What should a nurse do with the remaining hydromorphone after administering 1 mg IV from a stock solution of 2mg/1mL?

When administering controlled substances, such as hydromorphone, strict protocols must be followed to ensure safety and compliance with legal and ethical standards. After administering any controlled substance, the remaining portion that is not used should be appropriately disposed of to prevent misuse or accidental ingestion.

Wasting the remaining hydromorphone in the presence of another nurse fulfills the necessary regulatory requirement that mandates a witness to the disposal. This ensures accountability and provides a safeguard against potential diversion of the medication. The process typically involves documenting the amount wasted and having the witnessing nurse sign off on it, creating a record that can be referred back to if needed.

Keeping the remaining medication for future use, returning it to the pharmacy, or storing it in a secure place would not comply with best practices for the handling of controlled substances. Medications that are not fully administered should be wasted properly to eliminate risks associated with their potential misuse or accidental exposure, reinforcing the importance of following established protocols in pharmacological care.