A client who fell and broke his hip while being assisted to the bathroom by a nurse states he plans to sue the nurse. The nurse should know that, in a legal proceeding, the standard that will be used to determine if the nurse was negligent is which of the following?

A. In many institutions, when a nurse administers a controlled substance and has leftover medication, it is standard practice to have another nurse witness the disposal of the excess. This is a safeguard against misuse and ensures accountability.
B. While a sharps container is appropriate for disposing of needles and other sharp objects, it is not suitable for liquid medications. Discarding liquid medications in a sharps container could lead to contamination and is not compliant with disposal protocols.
C. Medications, especially controlled substances, should never be saved for later use once they have been drawn up or prepared. This practice poses a significant risk for medication errors and misuse.
D. Generally, the waste amount is not sent to the pharmacy. Instead, it should be wasted according to the facility's policy, typically in the presence of another nurse. Sending it to the pharmacy is unnecessary and could create logistical complications.

A. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are commonly used medications, they do not typically have a high potential for abuse or addiction. Monitoring these medications for diversion is generally not a primary concern compared to other classifications.
B. Opioids are one of the most commonly abused medication classes due to their pain-relieving properties and high potential for addiction. They are frequently monitored closely for signs of diversion and theft in healthcare settings.
C. Although some antidepressants may have mild abuse potential, they are not generally associated with the same level of diversion or abuse as opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants. Therefore, they are not typically monitored as closely.
D. Benzodiazepines are known for their sedative effects and potential for dependency and abuse. They are often misused for their calming effects, making them a priority for monitoring in medication inventories.
E. Anticholinergics are not commonly associated with abuse or diversion. They are used primarily for specific medical conditions and do not have a high potential for addiction, so monitoring these medications is not a primary focus.
F. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, such as those used to treat ADHD, have significant potential for abuse and dependency. These medications can lead to feelings of euphoria and are often misused, making them important to monitor closely for diversion.