Orders
Nurses1
can take orders from physicians, podiatrists, dentists, naturopathic doctors, midwives and
nurse practitioners.
An order is an authorization to carry out a restricted activity. The ordering professional (prescriber)
must also be authorized to carry out the activity in British Columbia.
Before carrying out a medication order:
determine that the order is clear, complete, current, legible and appropriate, and
verify that the order, pharmacy label and/or medication administration record (MAR) are complete
A complete order includes:
client name
date prescribed
medication name
strength and dosage
route
dose frequency
why the drug is prescribed (when it is a PRN medication)
quantity to be dispensed (if appropriate)
prescriber signature
Clarify any incomplete order with the prescriber.
Use the pharmacy dispensing label as an order if there is no alternative. Confirm that the label is
current, accurate and appropriate.
A pharmacist may produce a list of a client’s current prescribed medications. Once the prescriber
reviews and signs the list, it becomes an order.
1
1 Nurse refers to the following CRNBC registrants: registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed graduate nurses.
M E D I C A T I O N S
College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia 9
V E R B A L / T E L E P H O N E O R D E R S
Accept verbal/telephone orders only when circumstances require it and there are no other reasonable
options. Follow agency policy for accepting and recording these orders.
Record the time and date.
Record the order as stated by the prescriber.
Read the order back to the prescriber to confirm it is complete and accurate.
Record the prescriber’s name and title.
Sign your name and title on the order.
P R E - P R I N T E D O R D E R S
Pre-printed orders set out the usual care for a particular client group or problem. Pre-printed orders
should be accepted only when the prescriber has:
added the client name,
made any necessary changes to reflect the needs of the client, and
signed and dated the order
A B B R E V I A T I O N S
Abbreviations can be misused, misread and misinterpreted. Agencies should have a list of acceptable
abbreviations.
Clarify any unfamiliar or unclear abbreviations used in medication orders. Check the Institute of Safe
Medication Practices at www.ismp-canada.org for a list of dangerous abbreviations, symbols and
dose designations.
U N A C C E P T A B L E O R D E R S
Orders that are not client-specific are unacceptable. These include standing orders or general orders
protocols placed on client charts without the prescriber reviewing, individualizing and signing them.
Orders that are not complete are unacceptable. Examples: medication as at home, resume
medications post discharge.
U S I N G T E C H N O L O G Y T O T R A