Who cosigns protocol orders entered by phone?

• A. The attending physician
• B. The nurse
• C. The pharmacist
• D. The patient

Answer: (A)

Verbal or phone orders require physician validation to ensure proper authorization and accountability for the patient’s care. When protocol orders are entered by phone, the supervising physician—typically the attending physician—must cosign to confirm approval and take responsibility for the order in the chart. This physician sign-off is what makes the order legitimate and enforceable.

Nurses or pharmacists don’t cosign protocol orders; they may initiate, verify, or execute orders under policies, but the cosigner is the physician. The patient cannot cosign medical orders.