What is the main responsibility of the nurse in telephone prescription situations?

The main responsibility of the nurse in telephone prescription situations is to obtain and document the prescription accurately. This is crucial because the nurse must ensure that the medication order is precisely understood and recorded to prevent errors that could arise from miscommunication. Accurate documentation involves writing down details such as the medication name, dosage, route, frequency, and any special instructions provided by the prescribing physician.

In this scenario, the nurse acts as a critical link between the physician and the patient, ensuring safety and clarity in medication administration. By accurately documenting the prescription, the nurse minimizes the risk of medication errors and facilitates effective patient care.

Other roles, such as listening to recordings or delegating tasks, do not fulfill the nurse's primary responsibility in this context, as these actions could potentially lead to miscommunication or errors in patient care. Seeking confirmation from the primary care provider might be an important action in certain circumstances but is not the primary responsibility when a telephone prescription is being taken. The accurate acquisition and documentation of the prescription remains the nurse's foremost duty.