Which term denotes the amount of medication that is discarded or unused?

• A. Quantity wasted
• B. Administering person
• C. Drug Diversion
• D. Patient Name

Answer: (A)

Quantity wasted is the term that describes the portion of medication that is opened, drawn up, or otherwise prepared for use but not given to the patient and must be discarded. This concept is used in pharmacy and EMS to track leftover drug amounts for inventory control, cost accounting, and safe disposal, ensuring medications are handled properly and not diverted for non-patient use. For example, if a vial contains more than the dose needed and cannot be reused, the unused portion is considered wasted.

Administering person refers to who gives the drug, not the amount discarded. Drug diversion means theft or illicit use of medications, not the quantity that’s left unused. Patient name is simply identifying information and does not describe how much medication is wasted.