NCLEX review question...verbal orders?

[LanaBanana]

I just came across the answer rationale to a question in my Saunder's review book that says "Nurses are not to accept verbal orders from the physician because of the risks of error." WHAT? The nurses on my floor take VO's all the time. Is this a true statement?

[ukstudent]

There is I believe a difference between verbal orders (doctor next to you) and telephone orders. The idea is, that if the doctor is on the floor then they should just write the order. We have had past problems with doc's saying to give a drug, the patient having a bad outcome and then saying that they never said to give it. Telephone orders are ok.

[Jolie, BSN]

There is I believe a difference between verbal orders (doctor next to you) and telephone orders. The idea is, that if the doctor is on the floor then they should just write the order. We have had past problems with doc's saying to give a drug, the patient having a bad outcome and then saying that they never said to give it. Telephone orders are ok.

I agree, and would add that telephone orders should be "witnessed" and co-signed by a second RN to avoid the possibility of the doc denying having given an order that resulted in a poor outcome.