A physician asks a family nurse practitioner to prescribe a medication

A physician asks a family nurse practitioner to prescribe a medication that the nurse practitioner knows is incompatible with the current medication regimen. If the nurse practitioner follows the physician’s desire, which of the following is the most corr

1. Good Samaritan laws will protect the nurse.
2. The nurse practitioner will be liable for the action.
3. This type of situation is why nurse practitioners should have malpractice insur-ance.
4. If the nurse practitioner has developed a good relationship with the client, there will probably not be a problem.

ANSWER

ANS: 2
A nurse carrying out an inaccurate or inappropriate order may be legally responsible for any harm suffered by the client. Good Samaritan laws will not protect the nurse in this situation. Good Samaritan laws are for providing care at the scene of an accident. The nurse should refuse to ad-minister the medication when he or she knows it is wrong. Having malpractice insurance is not the answer, as it does not protect the client from harm. The nurse practitioner should refuse ad-ministering the medication. Developing a good relationship with the client is important, but will not protect the nurse from legal liability for providing incompetent care.