A nurse is receiving a telephone prescription from a client's provider. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
Explanation & Rationale
A. Ask the provider to spell out the name of the medication: Spelling the medication name ensures clarity and reduces the risk of errors caused by similar-sounding drug names. This is a key safety measure when receiving verbal or telephone prescriptions. B. Instruct another nurse to record the prescription in the medical record: The nurse receiving the telephone prescription is responsible for accurately documenting it. Delegating this task to another nurse can increase the risk of transcription errors and violates standard accountability practices. C. Withhold the medication until the provider signs the prescription: Telephone prescriptions are legally valid when taken and documented by the nurse. Withholding the medication unnecessarily could delay essential treatment. Immediate follow-up may be required, but a signature is not needed before administration. D. Record the date and time of the telephone prescription: Accurate documentation of the date and time ensures a legal and clinical record of when the prescription was received. This is essential for medication administration tracking, accountability, and continuity of care. E. Request that the provider confirm the read-back of the prescription: Read-back verification ensures that the prescription is correctly understood and transcribed. This step is a safety standard to prevent miscommunication and medication errors during telephone or verbal orders.