Dr. Jones asks you to give a medication to one of the patients, and you know the patient is allergic to it. When you point this out, Dr. Jones says, "Give the medication or I'll report this to your supervisor."

Question

What is the best assertive response? a. Agree to give the medication and hope no one finds out.
b. Say, "I won't give the medication, and I don't care who you talk to about it.".
c. Walk away and ignore Dr. Jones.
d. Say, "Perhaps you and I could talk this over with my supervisor together.".

Answer 1

D
Expressing to the physician that both of you should discuss the issue with the supervisor is an assertive response. As nurses gain experience, their judgment improves, and they are able to recognize ways to communicate needs and feelings with the goal of improving the processes and procedures used in the work setting. The patient's safety always comes first, so you would not go ahead and give the medication. When you walk away and ignore the comment, you are denying the feelings and not dealing assertively with the situation. Not giving the medication and stating that you don't care who the physician talks to about the issue is a threatening, aggressive re-sponse.