Which practice is inappropriate for TO/VO?

Which practice is inappropriate for TO/VO?

• A. Documenting the order in the chart
• B. Confirming with the prescriber
• C. Accepting the order without clarification
• D. Noting time and date

Answer: (C)

Requests given by telephone or verbally must be verified carefully to prevent errors. The safest approach is to document the order in the chart, confirm details with the prescriber (often by read-back and clarifying any uncertainties), and note the exact time and date the order was received. These steps create a clear, auditable record and ensure all details—drug name, dose, route, frequency, and any special instructions—are known before administration. If anything is unclear or incomplete, you seek clarification before acting. Accepting the order without clarification bypasses this essential verification, increasing the risk of miscommunication, incorrect dosing, or wrong medication, which can harm the patient. Thus, the inappropriate practice is accepting the order without clarification; the other steps align with safe TO/VO procedures.

Requests given by telephone or verbally must be verified carefully to prevent errors. The safest approach is to document the order in the chart, confirm details with the prescriber (often by read-back and clarifying any uncertainties), and note the exact time and date the order was received. These steps create a clear, auditable record and ensure all details—drug name, dose, route, frequency, and any special instructions—are known before administration. If anything is unclear or incomplete, you seek clarification before acting. Accepting the order without clarification bypasses this essential verification, increasing the risk of miscommunication, incorrect dosing, or wrong medication, which can harm the patient. Thus, the inappropriate practice is accepting the order without clarification; the other steps align with safe TO/VO procedures.