Glossary

The interpretation, clarification, assembly, and preparation of an authorized prescriber’s order for the delivery to the client. Dispensing does not include the administration of medication. CNNB acknowledges that dispensing is a role of the pharmacist and dispensing by the pharmacist should always be the first option. However, when supported by employer policy, nurses can dispense prescribed medications when pharmacy services are not available. Examples of situations where nurses may be supported to dispense prescribed medication include, but are not limited to:

• when there is no access to pharmacy services (e.g., for geographical reasons or hours of services);
• when there is an urgency to dispense a small portion of the prescribed medications to a client (e.g., initiating a course of antibiotic therapy, and controlling the spread of a communicable disease); and
•  to cover a client’s unexpected short leave from a health care facility.