Before prescribing a pre-printed order, what must the prescriber do?

• A. No assessment required
• B. Must perform a full hospital admission
• C. Complete an assessment and make a diagnosis within scope of practice prior to prescribing a pre-printed order
• D. Obtain patient consent only

Answer: (C)

Before using a pre-printed order, you must perform an assessment and establish a diagnosis that is within your scope of practice. This step ensures the treatment matches the patient’s condition and that you’re acting within professional boundaries. A pre-printed order is a standardized tool to streamline care, but it doesn’t replace clinical evaluation. Through the assessment you confirm the indication, check for contraindications, allergies, current medications, and patient factors such as age or pregnancy, and you validate that prescribing this order is appropriate for this specific patient. Consent is important, but it alone doesn’t justify the prescription; you need the diagnosis and the clinical justification within your scope of practice before proceeding.