If you are unsure about a prescribed dose, what is the correct course of action?

• A. Do not administer; verify dose with a pharmacist or physician and document appropriately
• B. Administer the dose cautiously and document after
• C. Ask the patient to confirm the dose
• D. Give a half dose until clarification

Answer: (A)

When you’re unsure about a prescribed dose, pause and verify it with a pharmacist or physician. This protects the patient from dosing errors, which can be dangerous with certain medications or when calculations, units, or renal/hepatic function affect the right amount. Getting an authoritative confirmation ensures you have the correct dose, route, and frequency, and it can catch issues like transcription mistakes or drug interactions before anything is given. After you obtain the correct dose, document the verification process, including who you spoke with, the time, and the final dose used, so there’s a clear, auditable record. If you need to proceed and verification will take time, hold the dose according to your facility’s policy and seek guidance rather than guessing or giving a partial dose. Do not rely on the patient to confirm the dose—dosing decisions come from clinicians, not patient confirmation.