In which scenario should a medication be disposed of?

The disposal of medication is an important aspect of ensuring patient safety and public health. Medications should be disposed of when they are expired because an expired medication can lose its potency and effectiveness, potentially leading to inadequate treatment for the patient. Furthermore, expired medications may also pose safety risks, including unforeseen side effects from degraded components.

In evaluating the other scenarios, an unopened medication may still be safe to use, provided it is within the expiration date, and the patient's satisfaction with the medication does not warrant disposal. Additionally, receiving a new prescription may indicate a change in treatment, but it does not automatically imply that the previously prescribed medication must be disposed of, especially if it is still within the effective usage period. Thus, the only appropriate condition for disposal among the options provided is when the medication is expired.