Physician-Nurse Relationship
The primary bond between medical practice and nursing is mutual ethical
concern for patients. One of the duties in providing reasonable care is
fulfilled by a nurse who carries out the orders of the attending
physician. Where orders appear to the nurse to be in error or contrary to
customary medical and nursing practice, the physician has an ethical
obligation to explain those orders to the nurse involved. Whenever a nurse
recognizes or suspects error or discrepancy in a physician's orders, the
nurse has an obligation to call this to the attention of the physician.
The ethical physician should neither expect nor insist that nurses follow
orders contrary to standards of good medical and nursing practice. In
emergencies when prompt action is necessary and the physician is not
immediately available, in the performance of reasonable care a nurse may
be justified in acting contrary to the physician's standing orders for the
safety of the patient. Such occurrences should not be considered to be a
breakdown in professional relations. (JC 3.02-87) (Reaffirmed A-23)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services