Which term describes the misuse of medications for unauthorized purposes?

• A. Authorized Practitioners
• B. Witnessing person
• C. Drug Diversion
• D. Quantity wasted

Answer: (C)

Drug diversion describes the misuse of medications for unauthorized purposes. It includes stealing, redirecting, or distributing medications (especially controlled substances) for personal use or illicit sale, and often involves concealing the improper use through record changes or other deceit. This concept is central in pharmacology and EMS practice because diversion threatens patient safety, violates laws, and can disrupt the medication supply chain. Preventing diversion relies on secure storage, accurate inventory and accounting, two-person verification when possible, and prompt reporting of any suspicious activity.

Authorized Practitioners are professionals licensed to prescribe or administer meds; that term doesn’t describe misuse. A witnessing person is about observing medication administration to ensure accuracy, not the act of misusing meds. Quantity wasted refers to how much medication is discarded or lost, which may be recorded for accountability but doesn’t inherently describe misuse.