What it means
The manufacturer's date until which the product is known to be safe and work as it should, if stored correctly. Many products also have a shorter "beyond-use" date once opened, such as a multidose vial. Note that in breathing, "expiration" means breathing out, which is a different use of the word.
For the nurse
Check the expiration date on every medication, IV fluid and sterile supply before use, and do not use anything that has expired. Label opened multidose vials with the date as policy requires.
At a glance
| Also written | expiration dates |
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Related terms
expiration
Breathing out; letting air flow out of the lungs. Also the date after which a product should not be used.
current medication
A medicine a person is taking now, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal products.