How should a CRMA handle expired medications?

The appropriate way for a CRMA to handle expired medications is to follow facility protocols for disposal and notify a supervisor. This option emphasizes the importance of adhering to established guidelines within the healthcare setting, which are designed to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of medications.

Expired medications can pose risks, including potential harm to residents if accidentally ingested, and ecological hazards if not disposed of properly. By notifying a supervisor, the CRMA ensures that the situation is handled appropriately, which may include secure disposal methods or returning the medication to a designated pharmacy or waste facility. This approach not only maintains compliance with safety regulations but also upholds the standards of care necessary for protecting residents’ health and safety.

Other approaches, such as disposing of medications in the regular trash or using them after obtaining resident consent, are unsafe and against proper protocols. The option that proposes returning medications directly to the pharmacy may not align with the facility's disposal protocols and could create confusion about responsibility for medication return and disposal. Thus, following set guidelines and involving a supervisor is the best practice to ensure safe medication management.