What is the correct action when a medication requires dual signoff?

• A. Another nurse will review and enter their user ID and password to document administration.
• B. The physician must sign off before administration.
• C. The system automatically signs off after you document.
• D. The patient signs off.

Answer: (A)

Dual signoff means a second qualified clinician must verify and document the administration. The correct action is for another nurse (or appropriate staff) to review and sign in with their own user ID and password to confirm that the medication was given. This independent check helps catch errors in dosing, patient identity, route, or timing and strengthens accountability in the medication administration process, which is especially important for high-risk or complex regimens.

Physicians prescribe the medication, but they don’t typically provide the per-dose administration signoff. The system does not automatically sign off after you document; the second-person verification is an explicit step. The patient cannot sign off on the nurse’s administration, as the signoff is an internal safety and documentation measure, not a patient acknowledgment.