A nurse receives a medication order that appears unclear and could result in a harmful dose. Which action best supports legal and professional accountability?

Correct answer: B. Clarify the order before administration and document the clarification

  • A. Carry out the order because it was written by a prescriber
  • B. Clarify the order before administration and document the clarification
  • C. Ask the patient to select the dose that seems appropriate
  • D. Change the dose independently and omit the original order

Explanation

The nurse must clarify an unclear or potentially unsafe order before giving the medication and record the communication according to policy. Prescriber authorization does not remove the nurse’s duty to question an order that may harm the patient.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
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About Legal Aspects and PNMC Regulation

Legal aspects of nursing include professional scope of practice, registration and licensing, standards of care, negligence, malpractice, assault, battery, consent, confidentiality and accurate documentation. PNMC regulation also involves professional accountability, disciplinary procedures and safe delegation, which differ from ethical guidance because they carry legal or regulatory consequences.

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