Arkansas Long Term Care Administrator Practice Exam

What must be done with medications that are expired?

1. Donate them to charity

2. Store them indefinitely

3. Destroy them and document the destruction

4. Return them to the manufacturer

The correct answer is: Destroy them and document the destruction

When managing expired medications, the proper procedure is to destroy them and document the destruction. This practice is important for several reasons. First, expired medications can pose health risks if consumed, either losing their efficacy or potentially causing harm. By destroying them, you remove the possibility of accidental ingestion or misuse. Additionally, documentation of the destruction serves as a critical component of accountability and compliance with regulatory standards. It provides a record that the medications were handled appropriately, which is essential for inspections and audits in a long-term care setting. The other options, while they may seem beneficial at first glance, are not practical or compliant with regulations. Donating expired medications can jeopardize public safety and violate legal stipulations, as these medications are no longer deemed safe or effective. Storing expired medications indefinitely violates storage regulations and can lead to overcrowding and potential risks in medication management. Returning expired medications to the manufacturer is typically not feasible, as manufacturers often have policies that do not allow returns of expired products. Therefore, the correct approach ensures safety, compliance, and proper management of medication inventory.