Who owns unused morphine left with a family after a patient dies in palliative care?

Study for the Mosby's Canadian Practical Nurse Test. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and detailed explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Who owns unused morphine left with a family after a patient dies in palliative care?

Explanation:
Handling leftover morphine after a patient dies is governed by narcotics policies. Morphine is a controlled substance, so it does not pass to the family. The health-care facility retains ownership and is responsible for securing, counting, and disposing of the remaining medication according to policy. Usually this means returning it to the hospital pharmacy or disposing of it with proper documentation and a second nurse witness to maintain the chain of custody. The family should not keep or misuse any leftover opioids. If unsure, the nurse should involve the pharmacist or supervisor to follow the approved disposal process.

Handling leftover morphine after a patient dies is governed by narcotics policies. Morphine is a controlled substance, so it does not pass to the family. The health-care facility retains ownership and is responsible for securing, counting, and disposing of the remaining medication according to policy. Usually this means returning it to the hospital pharmacy or disposing of it with proper documentation and a second nurse witness to maintain the chain of custody. The family should not keep or misuse any leftover opioids. If unsure, the nurse should involve the pharmacist or supervisor to follow the approved disposal process.

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