Which of the following is a sign of nursing drug diversion?

• A. Discrepancies in documentation
• B. Increased patient satisfaction ratings
• C. Normal pain control
• D. On-time administration

Answer: (A)

Discrepancies in medication documentation are a key sign of drug diversion. When meds are diverted, the administration records, MAR entries, and inventory counts often don’t align with what pharmacy records or actual stock show. You may see mismatched pill counts, unexplained waste, or entries that don’t match the times or doses given. Documentation serves as the audit trail linking what was prescribed to what was delivered; inconsistencies there create red flags for theft or misuse and should prompt further review and reporting to protect patient safety. The other options reflect normal or positive outcomes (patient satisfaction, effective pain control, on-time administration) and do not indicate diversion.