Which action can a nurse initiate without a physician's prescription?

Which action can a nurse initiate without a physician's prescription?

• A. Hand hygiene
• B. Administering an intravenous antibiotic
• C. Starting a new medication
• D. Performing a surgical procedure

Answer: (A)

Hand hygiene is the action a nurse can initiate without a physician's prescription. It’s an independent, foundational nursing practice and a standard precaution to prevent infection, performed routinely before and after patient contact regardless of orders. The other options involve medications or procedures that require a physician’s prescription or specialized authorization: administering an intravenous antibiotic needs an order and IV access, starting a new medication requires a prescriber’s directive, and performing a surgical procedure is within the surgeon’s scope.

Hand hygiene is the action a nurse can initiate without a physician's prescription. It’s an independent, foundational nursing practice and a standard precaution to prevent infection, performed routinely before and after patient contact regardless of orders. The other options involve medications or procedures that require a physician’s prescription or specialized authorization: administering an intravenous antibiotic needs an order and IV access, starting a new medication requires a prescriber’s directive, and performing a surgical procedure is within the surgeon’s scope.