Part four: Health professions

The nurse checks that the medicine, product or medical device dispensed complies with the prescription. They also check the dosage and expiry date. They follow the instructions for use for any medical devices they use.

Nurses take every precaution in their power to prevent unauthorised persons from gaining access to the medicines and products they are required to use in the course of their professional practice.

The nurse suggests consulting a doctor or any other competent professional when he or she considers it necessary.

The nurse communicates to the doctor any information in his possession likely to contribute to the establishment of the diagnosis, as well as to allow the best adaptation of the treatment or care.

Nurses apply and respect medical prescriptions which, except in emergencies, are written, quantitative and qualitative, dated and signed. They ask the prescriber for further information whenever they consider it useful, particularly if they feel they have not been adequately informed. If the nurse has any doubts about the prescription, he checks it with the prescriber or, if this is not possible, with another member of the profession concerned. If it…

The nurse applies and complies with the protocols drawn up by the doctor in accordance with the provisions of articles R. 4311-7 and R. 4311-14. Whenever they consider it essential, nurses ask the doctor in charge to draw up a written, dated and signed protocol. In the event of the implementation of a written protocol of emergency care, or of protective acts performed until the intervention of a doctor, the…

When nurses take part in public information activities of an educational, scientific or health nature, whatever the means of dissemination, they only use confirmed data, exercise caution and are concerned about the repercussions of their comments on the public. They do not intend to profit from their contribution in the context of their professional activity, nor to benefit the organisations in which they work or to which they lend their…

In accordance with the law, in secondary schools, nurses may, in application of a national protocol laid down by decree, administer emergency contraception to minors and adults in cases of emergency. They provide psychological support for the pupil and ensure that medical follow-up is provided.

To guarantee the quality of the care they provide and patient safety, nurses have a duty to update and perfect their skills. They must take all necessary steps to meet their obligations in terms of continuing professional development.

Nurses must not disseminate in professional or medical circles a new nursing technique or procedure which has not been sufficiently tested, without accompanying this dissemination with the necessary reservations. Nurses also have a duty not to use new nursing techniques which would put the patient at undue risk.