If a drug falls onto the floor, you should immediately throw it into the hazardous trash.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends on policy

Answer: (B)

Handling a drug that falls on the floor requires following the established spill response and disposal procedures. The goal is to prevent exposure and contamination, not to dispose of it immediately without proper steps. Simply throwing it into hazardous trash can spread residues, contaminate the waste stream, and put others at risk. The right approach is to stop, follow the facility’s spill protocol, wear appropriate PPE, contain and clean up the spill with approved materials, and place the waste into the designated container for contaminated materials according to policy. Some substances may be considered hazardous waste and require special disposal, so you should consult the policy and relevant guidelines rather than assuming it can be discarded right away.