Which statement is true regarding who may receive telephone orders in a pharmacy setting?

Which statement is true regarding who may receive telephone orders in a pharmacy setting?

• A. Pharmacy technicians may receive telephone orders
• B. Only physicians may receive telephone orders
• C. Authorized healthcare professionals such as registered nurses, pharmacists and respiratory therapists may receive telephone orders
• D. Telephone orders are never allowed

Answer: (C)

Verbal and telephone orders must be received by someone who is authorized to take and document them and who can ensure accuracy. The statement that authorized healthcare professionals such as registered nurses, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists may receive telephone orders is true because these professionals are trained to verify patient identity, confirm the drug name, dose, route, and frequency, and perform a read-back to prevent errors. Pharmacy technicians typically are not authorized to take or transcribe telephone orders; they assist after an order has been received and entered by an authorized user. This approach protects patient safety, whereas limiting VO to physicians or saying VO are never allowed would either be too restrictive or incorrect, since VO are used with safeguards like read-back and verification.

Verbal and telephone orders must be received by someone who is authorized to take and document them and who can ensure accuracy. The statement that authorized healthcare professionals such as registered nurses, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists may receive telephone orders is true because these professionals are trained to verify patient identity, confirm the drug name, dose, route, and frequency, and perform a read-back to prevent errors. Pharmacy technicians typically are not authorized to take or transcribe telephone orders; they assist after an order has been received and entered by an authorized user. This approach protects patient safety, whereas limiting VO to physicians or saying VO are never allowed would either be too restrictive or incorrect, since VO are used with safeguards like read-back and verification.