What should you do with excess medication pulled up in a dropper?

When you have excess medication in a dropper, it is essential to discard the excess, notify the charge nurse, and then re-pull the correct dosage. This practice ensures the safety and efficacy of medication administration. Medications are typically prescribed in precise dosages to avoid complications that may arise from overdosing or underdosing.

Storing excess medication for later use can lead to contamination or degradation of the medication, which may compromise the treatment. Returning the excess to the bottle can also pose risks, including contamination of the remaining medication within the bottle. Administering the excess medication anyway disregards the prescribed dosage and can result in negative health consequences for the patient.

By discarding the excess and communicating with the charge nurse, you follow protocols that promote patient safety and maintain the integrity of the medication administration process.