Author Question: The nurse carries out a medication order, incorrectly written by the physician and subsequently ... (Read 81 times)

Anajune7 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse carries out a medication order, incorrectly written by the physician and subsequently filled by the pharmacist. Who, in this situation, is legally liable for the action?

1. Physician
2. Pharmacist
3. Hospital
4. Nurse

Question 2

The doctrine that holds the hospital responsible as well as the nurse in cases of professional malpractice is which of the following?

1. Contractual relationship
2. Stare decisis
3. Respondeat superior
4. Res ipsa loquitur

diesoon · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Even though the physician wrote the order incorrectly the primary responsibility in question is the administration of the medication and so responsibility is not the physician's.
Rationale 2: Even though the pharmacist filled an incorrect order, the primary responsibility in question is the administration of the medication and so responsibility is not the pharmacist's.
Rationale 3: Assuming policies and procedures were written and accessible the hospital is not legally responsible in this case.
Rationale 4: The responsibility for the nursing activity-in this case, giving the medication-belongs to the nurse. Liability is legal responsibility for one's action. Even though the physician wrote the order incorrectly and the pharmacist filled it, it was the nurse who carried it out, making that person ultimately responsible for the action.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: A contractual relationship is not a doctrine; it is what the nurse and hospital, for example, enter when the hospital hires the nurse as an employee.
Rationale 2: To stand by things decided, or stare decisis, is the same thing as following precedent, or applying the same rules to a situation as were applied in similar situations.
Rationale 3: Let the master answer, or respondeat superior, means that the master (in this case the hospital/employer) assumes responsibility for the conduct of the servant (the nurse) and can be held responsible for the nurse's failure to act in a competent way.
Rationale 4: The thing speaks for itself, or res ipsa loquitur, is a doctrine in cases where harm occurs but cannot be traced to a specific health care provider or standard.