Who is allowed to enter the hospital pharmacy when it is closed to retrieve emergency doses?

The correct answer is that a designated RN is allowed to enter the hospital pharmacy when it is closed to retrieve emergency doses. This is based on the protocol established within healthcare facilities to ensure that emergency medications are accessible while maintaining security and regulatory compliance in the pharmacy setting. Typically, a designated RN is trained and authorized to access the pharmacy, particularly in urgent situations where immediate medication is required for patient care.

In these scenarios, the specific training that designated RNs undergo enables them to manage this responsibility effectively, ensuring that medication retrieval occurs in a controlled manner while observing safety protocols. This can include utilizing a secure mechanism for entry, such as a key or code, as well as proper documentation of the medication removed.

Other options would not generally align with the standard policies and practices found in hospital pharmacy operations. Specifically, allowing "any staff member present" could lead to unauthorized access and potential misuse of medications, while patients should not enter the pharmacy for safety and security reasons. An "on-call pharmacist" may be responsible for overseeing operations or providing guidance but typically would not physically retrieve medications unless in a designated role or designated by policy.