What is the correct way to secure a medication cart if it needs to be left in the hallway?

Securing a medication cart correctly is essential to ensure the safety and integrity of the medications it contains. Locking the cart prevents unauthorized access and protects the medications from theft, abuse, or accidental ingestion. It ensures that only those authorized to handle medications can access the cart, which is crucial in maintaining proper medication management and adhering to safety standards in a healthcare setting.

The other options compromise safety—leaving it unlocked or open may lead to unauthorized individuals being able to access the medications, and taking the cart with you may not be practical or feasible in all situations, especially if you need to attend to a patient or other duties. Hence, locking the cart is the best practice when it needs to be left unattended in a hallway.