Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 January 2021
Nurses often administer drugs to patients for treatment and research purposes, at the direction of physicians, without knowing their legal responsibilities. Following a doctor's orders is not an adequate defense for a nurse against a lawsuit based on the administration of a drug not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); administration of a drug approved by the FDA, but approved only for a different purpose; or administration of a drug without the informed consent of a patient. Considerable confusion exists about a nurse's legal obligations in administering “new drugs,” and the purpose of this article is to provide some clarity.
Please note a has been issued for this article.