What situation would require the nurse-manager to intervene in an acute care surgical unit?

In an acute care surgical unit, the nurse-manager must ensure that all protocols and legal regulations regarding medication administration are strictly followed. The situation where a unit clerk is receiving a verbal telephone prescription raises significant safety concerns.

Verbal prescriptions should typically be taken by licensed personnel, such as a nurse or physician, to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the medication order and that the person taking the order can immediately clarify any potential questions with the prescriber. This is crucial for patient safety, as errors could occur in interpreting or transcribing the prescription, leading to potential harm.

In contrast, receiving medication from the pharmacy is a standard procedure handled by nursing staff. Preparing meals for clients is also a routine responsibility of nursing assistants, and providing preoperative education is within the scope of nursing practice. Thus, the situation involving a unit clerk taking a verbal prescription represents a breakdown in the established protocols that the nurse-manager must address to uphold safety and compliance within the unit.