A nurse has an order to administer a schedule II drug to a patient. When working with medications of this type, the responsibility of the nurse is to:

Choice A reason: Checking with another nurse may occur, but it’s not mandatory for all schedule II drugs; documentation is the primary legal responsibility to track controlled substances accurately. Choice B reason: Signing out on a narcotic sheet is required; schedule II drugs like opioids need strict tracking to prevent diversion, ensuring accountability per federal and hospital regulations. Choice C reason: Leaving medication at the bedside violates security; schedule II drugs must remain controlled, as unattended narcotics risk theft or misuse, breaching safety protocols entirely. Choice D reason: Extra water is irrelevant to responsibility; it’s a hydration tip, not a legal or safety duty tied to administering highly regulated schedule II controlled substances.