What is the priority action a nurse should take when receiving a new order for IV medication?

The priority action when receiving a new order for IV medication is to check for the patient's allergies. This is crucial because administering a medication to which a patient is allergic can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening reactions, such as anaphylaxis. Identifying allergies ensures the safety of the patient and helps prevent complications that could arise from the medication.

While informing the physician about potential interactions is important, it typically comes after confirming that the patient can safely receive the medication. Ensuring that the medication comes from a reliable source is essential for maintaining safety and efficacy, but it is generally considered a standard practice that should already be in place rather than a top priority at the moment an order is received. Documenting the order in the patient’s chart is also an important administrative step, but it should occur after verifying the patient's safety regarding allergies. Checking allergies first directly impacts patient safety and is therefore the most immediate priority.