After administering an injection of an opioid medication, which action should the nurse take regarding the remaining medication?

The most appropriate action after administering an injection of an opioid medication and having remaining medication is to have another nurse witness the wastage. This step is crucial because controlled substances, like opioids, are highly regulated due to their potential for misuse and addiction. When there is a need to discard excess medication, the involvement of a second nurse serves as a safeguard against discrepancies in documentation, providing an additional level of accountability and transparency in the medication administration process.

By having another licensed nurse observe the process, both parties can verify the amount remaining and the amount being wasted, thereby ensuring accurate records are maintained in compliance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements. This practice helps prevent potential diversion of controlled substances and reinforces adherence to safety standards in medication handling.

Other options, such as disposing of the vial in a sharps container or locking the remaining medication in the controlled substances cabinet, are not appropriate for the scenario, as they do not adequately address the need for witnessing the wastage of the medication. Simply notifying the pharmacy of wasted medication may also not fulfill the requirement for proper disposal procedure and accountability in nursing practice.