What constitutes misappropriation of narcotics?

• A. Theft or improper use of controlled substances; grounds for immediate discipline and possible criminal charges.
• B. Prescribing controlled substances without a license.
• C. Administering narcotics without patient consent.
• D. Using non-controlled substances for pain management.

Answer: (A)

Misappropriation of narcotics means theft or improper use of controlled substances by a nurse or other healthcare worker. It involves diverting drugs from proper use—taking them for personal use, unauthorized distribution, or tampering with records or supplies. Because controlled substances are tightly regulated, this behavior prompts immediate disciplinary action and possible criminal charges, reflecting the serious risk to patient safety and public health. The other scenarios describe illegal or inappropriate actions in different contexts—prescribing without a license is unlicensed practice; administering narcotics without patient consent is a battery/malpractice issue; using non-controlled substances for pain management involves substances that aren’t controlled and thus aren’t misappropriation.