Question

You're a nurse responsible for administering medications. You receive a prescription order that you believe is incorrect. What is the most appropriate action to take?

A) Administer the medication as ordered to avoid delays in patient care.
B) Immediately notify the prescribing healthcare provider to clarify the order.
C) Disregard your concerns and follow the prescription order as written.
D) Consult with a colleague about the prescription order before taking any action.

Answer 1

The most appropriate action is to immediately notify the prescribing healthcare provider to clarify the prescription order, ensuring patient safety and adherence to professional standards.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you are a nurse responsible for administering medications and you believe a prescription order is incorrect, the most appropriate action is to immediately notify the prescribing healthcare provider to clarify the order. This ensures patient safety and adherence to professional standards. Administering medication without resolving concerns could result in patient harm and professional liability for the nurse. Consulting a colleague might be helpful, but it does not replace the need to clarify the prescription with the provider. Ignoring your concerns or administering the medication without clarification is not advisable.