Final answer:
The nurse practitioner will be liable for prescribing an incompatible medication following a physician's directive, as it violates the principle of nonmaleficence and compromises patient safety. Good relationships or malpractice insurance do not preclude liability in such scenarios.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a family nurse practitioner is asked to prescribe a medication that is known to be incompatible with the patient's current medication regimen, and they follow the physician's directive, the most correct answer is that the nurse practitioner will be liable for the action. This situation underscores the principle of nonmaleficence, which affirms that healthcare providers should act in ways that do not cause harm to patients. Administering incompatible medications could lead to patient harm, thus violating this principle. Furthermore, it is important to note that no law or insurance, such as Good Samaritan laws or malpractice insurance, will shield the nurse practitioner from liability in a case where negligence or harmful actions contribute to a patient's adverse outcomes. A good relationship with a client does not mitigate the responsibility of safe and ethical care. Therefore, it is imperative for healthcare practitioners to advocate for patient safety and practice within the scope of their professional competence and ethical guidelines.