A nurse in a physician's office has noted on several occasions that one of the physicians frequently obtains controlled-drug prescription forms for prescription writing. The physician reports that his wife has chronic back pain and requires pain medication. One day the nurse enters the physician's office and sees him take a pill out of a bottle. The doctor mentions that he suffers from migraines and that his wife's pain medication alleviates the pain. What type of nurse-physician ethical situation is illustrated in this scenario?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The physician's actions of obtaining controlled-drug prescription forms for personal use and taking medication not prescribed to him is illegal and unethical. It is a violation of the nurse-physician ethical relationship for the physician to use his position to obtain medication for personal use, especially controlled substances. The nurse has a duty to report this behavior to the appropriate authorities.

A Nurse in a Physician's Office Has Noted on Several