If you cannot read the doctor's order or pharmacy label, what should you do?

• A. Call the nurse
• B. Proceed with administration
• C. Ask a family member
• D. Check the label again yourself and guess

Answer: (A)

When you can’t read the doctor’s order or the pharmacy label, patient safety demands you pause and get confirmation from a licensed clinician. The nurse is the appropriate person to contact because they can verify the exact medication, dose, route, and timing, review the patient’s chart for allergies or interactions, and obtain a legible order or updated label from the prescriber or pharmacy. Do not guess, do not proceed, and do not rely on family members for medication information—the order must be clearly read and confirmed before administration. Once the nurse clarifies and confirms the correct instructions, you can safely proceed.