Question

question 73

a pharmacy technician receives a verbal prescription order called in by a physicians nurse. the technician should recognize that which of the following is the appropriate action?

• transfer the call to the pharmacist who will take the verbal order.
• accept and fill the verbal order as transcribed.
• ask the nurse to fax the prescription instead of calling.
• inform the caller that verbal orders are not accepted by the pharmacy.

Explanation:

Identify the scope of practice

Using the Pharmacy Technician Duties and Pharmacy Law knowledge points

• Under federal and state pharmacy regulations, taking new verbal (oral) prescription orders over the phone is a clinical task reserved exclusively for a licensed pharmacist.
• A pharmacy technician's scope of practice does not permit them to receive or transcribe new verbal prescriptions directly from a prescriber or their agent (such as a nurse).

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: Transferring the call to the pharmacist is the correct legal and professional action to ensure the verbal order is taken by an authorized individual.
• Option 2: A technician accepting and filling the verbal order directly violates pharmacy regulations regarding scope of practice.
• Option 3: Forcing the nurse to fax the prescription is unnecessary and delays patient care, as pharmacies routinely accept verbal orders when handled by a pharmacist.
• Option 4: Verbal orders are legally accepted by pharmacies, provided they are received by a pharmacist.

Answer:

• (A) Transfer the call to the pharmacist who will take the verbal order. (Correct answer)
• (B) Accept and fill the verbal order as transcribed.
• (C) Ask the nurse to fax the prescription instead of calling.
• (D) Inform the caller that verbal orders are not accepted by the pharmacy.