Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

What is an appropriate action following a telephone order for a medication?

1. Assume the order is valid.

2. Write the order if it is clearly understood.

3. Verify the order with pharmacy before transcribing.

4. Repeat the order back to the provider for confirmation.

The correct answer is: Repeat the order back to the provider for confirmation.

Repeating the order back to the provider for confirmation is a crucial step in ensuring patient safety and medication accuracy. This practice, often referred to as "read-back," helps to confirm that there is mutual understanding between the care manager or healthcare provider taking the order and the physician giving it. It serves as a safeguard against miscommunication or errors that can occur during verbal orders, especially over the phone, where many factors such as noise or misunderstandings can lead to wrong information being recorded. Taking this step protects not only the patient's health but also the provider, as it provides a clear verification process that can be referred back to if any issues arise. By ensuring clarity and agreement on the details of the medication order, including dosage, administration route, and timing, the care manager can help avert potential adverse drug events and uphold standards of best practice in medication management.