Which of the following professionals can accept a telephone order for medication?

Accepting a telephone order for medication is a critical task that requires the proper qualifications and training to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. In Maine, both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are allowed to accept telephone orders for medications, provided they are acting under the supervision of a licensed prescriber and within the scope of their practice. Pharmacists, too, are trained professionals who can receive and clarify medication orders, including those initiated over the phone.

The inclusion of all three professions—pharmacists, LPNs, and RNs—as acceptable to accept these orders reflects their varied roles in the healthcare system. RNs, with their extensive training and authority, can interpret and deliver medications based on these orders. LPNs, while having a slightly different scope of practice, also can accept telephone orders under the appropriate conditions. Additionally, pharmacists play a crucial role in medication management and can handle medication orders from a clinical standpoint.

This comprehensive approach to medication order acceptance emphasizes teamwork and the collaborative role each of these healthcare professionals plays in patient care, ensuring that orders are received and processed accurately and safely.