The nurse carries out a medication order that was incorrectly written by the healthcare provider and subsequently filled by the pharmacist. Who is liable for administering the incorrect dose?

Question

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Mistakes in administering medication are among the most common causes of malpractice. Liability may result from administering the wrong dose, giving a medication to the wrong patient/client, giving a drug at the wrong time, or failing to administer a drug in the proper manner. For administration of medications, a nurse is required by law to exercise the degree of skill and care that a reasonably prudent nurse with similar training and experience would exercise under the same or similar circumstances. The physician is liable for writing the wrong script, the pharmacist is liable for filling the wrong order, and the nurse is liable for administering the wrong dose. All three can be sued if harm results. Additionally, the healthcare agency can be named in the lawsuit.

The Nurse Carries Out a Medication Order That Was Incorrectly