Drug Disposal Practice Test

A 72-year-old woman (weight 60 kg) wants to dispose of several medications after her spouse died and asks about community options. Medical history: type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis. Allergies: sulfonamides (rash). Current medications: metformin 1,000 mg twice daily, insulin glargine 18 units nightly, acetaminophen 650 mg every 6 hours as needed. She asks if the pharmacy can accept medications for disposal and whether there are local take-back events. Which disposal option is available in the community and aligns with DEA/FDA guidance?

A 34-year-old man (weight 76 kg) brings in multiple unused medications after cleaning his home and is concerned about environmental impact. Medical history: asthma, seasonal allergies. Allergies: none. Current medications: albuterol inhaler 2 puffs every 4–6 hours as needed; cetirizine 10 mg daily. He has leftover naproxen 500 mg tablets and asks, "Is flushing better than throwing them away to protect the environment?" Which disposal method minimizes environmental impact while maintaining safety?