Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a nurse feels that a physician's orders are unsafe, it is crucial to prioritize patient safety and ensure effective communication within the healthcare team. Questioning and clarifying the orders with the physician is the appropriate course of action in this scenario. This approach fosters collaboration and allows the nurse to express their concerns while obtaining any necessary clarification about the orders. Misunderstandings can happen, and discussing the orders can lead to improved patient outcomes and ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the patient’s care.

By actively engaging with the physician, the nurse not only advocates for the patient's safety but also upholds their professional responsibility to provide safe and effective care. This communication is a key component of the nursing process and ensures that the nurse retains their autonomy while collaborating with other healthcare professionals.

The options that involve following orders without question or documenting concerns and proceeding do not address the critical need for communication and can potentially place the patient at risk. Alerting the media about unsafe practices is not appropriate as this undermines the proper channels for addressing such concerns within the healthcare system and could lead to a breach of patient confidentiality or trust. Thus, clarifying the orders with the physician represents the best practice in this situation.