Which statement is true regarding medication handling and labeling?

• A. Expired or unlabeled meds should be discarded
• B. Expired meds can be kept if not used
• C. Unlabeled meds can be kept for later labeling
• D. Labeling is optional

Answer: (A)

Safe medication handling means preventing errors and ensuring medicines are safe to use. Expired medications may have reduced potency or altered safety, so they must be discarded. Medications that are unlabeled cannot be identified and therefore should not be used; they should also be discarded. Proper labeling is required for every medication—drug name, strength, dose, route, and instructions—so never keep or administer meds that are unlabeled or expired. If something is missing a label or is past its expiration, discard it and obtain a properly labeled replacement through the supervisor or pharmacy. This approach helps prevent giving the wrong drug or dose and protects the client from harm.