If a patient's medications are not administered, what should be done?

When medications are not administered to a patient, they must be handled cautiously to ensure safety and proper follow-up. The correct action involves packaging and sealing the unused medications before returning them to a family member. This approach ensures that the medications are not wasted and allows for a responsible transition of the drugs back to the patient or their representative.

This step is crucial for several reasons. First, properly packaging and sealing the medications ensures that they remain uncontaminated and safe for potential future use. Additionally, returning medications to a family member maintains the continuity of care, allowing for better medication management at home. It also helps prevent potential legal issues, as medications should not be simply discarded or left unattended, which might pose risks of accidental ingestion or misuse.

In contrast, throwing medications away neglects appropriate disposal practices and may lead to environmental hazards. Simply returning them directly to a patient without proper follow-up could result in confusion about their handling, storage, and administration. Storing medications indefinitely in the pharmacy is impractical and violates regulations regarding medication inventory and safety oversight.