27. Federal law requires which of the following medications to be stored in a locked cabinet unless it is dispersed among non-controlled pharmaceuticals?
Answer: C
Meperidine must be stored in a locked cabinet unless it is dispersed among non-controlled pharmaceuticals.
Meperidine is classified as a controlled substance under federal law, which mandates that it must be stored securely to prevent misuse and abuse. This requirement ensures the safety and proper handling of medications that have a high potential for addiction or dependence.
A) Metaxalone
Metaxalone is not classified as a controlled substance; therefore, it does not have the same storage requirements as controlled medications. It can be stored in a standard cabinet without the need for additional security measures.
B) Memantine
Memantine is also not a controlled substance, and as such, it does not require locked storage. It is used to treat Alzheimer's disease and does not pose the same risks associated with controlled medications.
C) Meperidine
Meperidine is a Schedule II controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Due to its potential for abuse and the risks associated with its use, federal law mandates that it must be stored in a locked cabinet unless dispersed among other non-controlled pharmaceuticals, making this option correct.
D) Mesalamine
Mesalamine is not classified as a controlled substance and therefore does not require locked storage. It is primarily used to treat inflammatory bowel disease and does not carry the same risks of abuse as controlled substances.
Conclusion
The requirement for Meperidine to be stored in a locked cabinet is a direct result of its classification as a controlled substance, designed to mitigate the risks of misuse. In contrast, Metaxalone, Memantine, and Mesalamine do not have such restrictions due to their non-controlled status, demonstrating the critical distinctions in regulatory requirements for different medications.