42. 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 in a locked cabinet to prevent misuse and ensure safety.
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 with non-controlled pharmaceuticals without the need for a locked cabinet.
B) Memantine
Memantine is also not a controlled substance and does not require special storage conditions. It can be kept in general pharmaceutical storage without the restrictions applied to controlled medications.
C) Meperidine
Meperidine is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it is subject to strict regulations regarding its storage. Federal law requires that it be stored in a locked cabinet unless it is dispersed among non-controlled pharmaceuticals to mitigate the risk of misuse.
D) Mesalamine
Mesalamine is not classified as a controlled substance, thus it does not necessitate storage in a locked cabinet. It can be stored alongside other non-controlled medications without any specific security measures.
Conclusion
Meperidine is the only medication among the options that is classified as a controlled substance requiring secure storage in a locked cabinet. The other options—Metaxalone, Memantine, and Mesalamine—do not have such stringent requirements, which makes them incorrect in this context. The distinction of controlled versus non-controlled substances is crucial for maintaining safety in pharmaceutical practices.