California Nursing Home Administrator License Practice Exam

True or False: Narcotic medication must be kept separate and locked from non-narcotic medication.

1. True

2. False

3. Sometimes

4. It depends on the medication

The correct answer is: True

Narcotic medication must indeed be stored separately and locked away from non-narcotic medication. This practice is essential for ensuring the safe management of narcotics, which include controlled substances that have a high potential for abuse and dependency. Storing these medications separately helps prevent unauthorized access and misuse, thereby safeguarding patient welfare. Regulations governing the management of controlled substances typically require that facilities implement strict protocols to secure narcotics, which includes locking them in a designated area that limits access to authorized personnel only. This is crucial not just for compliance with legal standards but also for maintaining the integrity of patient care practices. While there may be protocols that pertain to documentation and monitoring of medication administration, the critical rule remains that the physical separation and secure storage of narcotics from non-narcotics is fundamental in order to mitigate risks associated with administration errors and abuse.