[CTstudent]

What would you guys have chosen for this question?

You are about to administer a medication to a patient when you notice the the dosage is higher than normal. You call the doctor to verify the order and he states "That is the dosage I ordered so give it to the patient" What would you do?

A. Administer the medication
B. Contact you nursing supervisor
C. Don't give the medication and tell the patient why
D. Give the medication but only the normal amount

[APBT mom]

I'll say B because it doesn't say anything about an order change.

[Bonny619]

I guess it depends on how off the dose is. I say A, you double checked with the doctor and that's what he ordered.

But B sounds good too.

[OLDCARTS]

I think that the best answer is B.

If I'm not comfortable giving something, I'd double check with the MD AND with my supervisor... to protect myself.

Then again, it depends on the med and how "off" the dosage is. Bad question, IMO.

Let us know if you figure out what the correct answer was.

[deeDawntee]

Definitely B.

[kalmeira]

I would definately choose B. You are responsible for giving the medication, if the doctor is wrong about the dose and you give it anyway than you are liable.

[gemini_star]

B. If you are unsure with something, check it with your colleague or supervisor.

[Bonny619]

But wouldn't checking it with the doctor who ordered it make more sense? Why would a colleague or supervisor know what the doctor plans to order and why?

Again, I guess it depends what the med is and how off the dose sounds.

Originally Posted by gemini_star

B. If you are unsure with something, check it with your colleague or supervisor.

[Bonny619]

Really good question the more I think about it.

What would the nursing supervisor do? Check with the doctor again? At what point do you trust the doctor?

[deeDawntee]

The problem is that the Doc didn't give any explanation or justification for that dosage, he just expected the nurse to follow his order because HE ordered it. We are expected to question medication orders. If I knew for a fact that a medication was a wrong dose and the doc is not collaborating with me as part of the health care team, then I would absolutely not give it!!! Do you know how many times nurses or pharmacists catch MD errors???? (A LOT) That is part of our job.

I would tell me supervisor what happened, what the Doc said and document everything. And You just did your job as a professional, (you are not a servant of the Doc, you are the pt's advocate.)