A charge nurse is discussing the guidelines for narcotic medications with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following information should the charge nurse include?

A. Verify the narcotic inventory count every 8 hr: Narcotic counts are typically verified at the beginning and end of each shift or according to facility policy, not strictly every 8 hours. This statement is partially correct but not comprehensive for safe practice. B. Dispose of unused medication in the sharps container: Unused narcotics must be disposed of according to controlled substance regulations, usually requiring a witness and proper documentation. Disposal in a sharps container alone is inappropriate and unsafe. C. Request an AP to witness the disposal of wasted medication: Witnessing narcotic disposal requires another licensed nurse, not an assistive personnel. Regulations mandate accountability by trained healthcare professionals to prevent diversion. D. Report discrepancies in the narcotic inventory to the nurse manager: Any discrepancies in narcotic counts must be reported immediately to maintain compliance with controlled substance regulations, ensure patient safety, and prevent diversion. This is a primary responsibility of nurses handling narcotics.