If there is a conflict between a physician's order and the facility manual, which should guide the dressing change?

• A. The facility's online procedure manual
• B. The physician's prescription
• C. A nurse's intuition
• D. A hospital orientation guide

Answer: (B)

In patient care, the physician’s order directs the specific treatment for that individual, and it takes precedence over general institutional guidelines when there’s a direct conflict. A dressing change should be guided by the physician’s prescription because it specifies what dressings, solutions, frequency, and technique are appropriate for that patient’s wound and condition. The facility’s manual provides standard procedures and safety measures, but it isn’t a substitute for a patient-specific order. If an order seems to clash with policy or raises safety concerns, you should seek clarification from the physician or the appropriate supervisor before proceeding, ensuring any deviation is justified and documented. Relying on intuition or unrelated guides isn’t appropriate for direct patient care decisions, and a general orientation guide doesn’t apply to the individual treatment plan.