Who should have access to medication cabinets and drawers?

Access to medication cabinets and drawers should be limited to only the staff who administer medications, primarily because this is critical for ensuring patient safety and medication security. By restricting access to authorized personnel, healthcare facilities can better control who handles medications, reducing the risk of errors, potential misuse, or theft.

It's vital that only those trained and qualified to administer medications have access. This keeps medication management standardized and helps maintain accurate records of dispensation and inventory. Furthermore, this practice aligns with regulatory standards and best practices for safe medication administration.

While other staff members, such as security personnel or nursing staff, may play roles in the overall safety and management of medication supplies, their access would not focus on administration. Security personnel generally do not need to access medication for checks, and nursing staff’s function, while crucial for inventory, would typically not require unrestricted access to medication at all times. Therefore, the correct choice emphasizes safeguarding patient care through controlled medication accessibility.