A hospice has an informal policy that registered nurses may administer anticipatory medications prescribed on a PRN basis without contacting a doctor

Question

A hospice has an informal policy that registered nurses may administer anticipatory medications prescribed on a PRN basis without contacting a doctor for each dose, provided the prescription clearly documents indications, dose, route, and frequency, and the nurse is competent. Is this legally and professionally appropriate under current UK practice?

Accepted Answer

Yes — registered nurses may administer PRN anticipatory medications within their competence when clearly prescribed with indications

Answer

A doctor must authorise each individual dose of PRN medication as the preferred next management strategy in this patient

Answer

Only senior or specialist nurses may administer PRN medications under this policy as the preferred next management strategy

Answer

Only doctors or nurse prescribers may administer anticipatory medications as the preferred next management strategy

Answer

Each PRN dose requires written consent from the patient at the time of administration as the preferred next step

Nurse-Administered PRN Anticipatory Medications — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ