When a doctor gives results to the wrong family, how appropriate is it for them to ask a nurse to explain the mix-up?

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The most fitting response acknowledges that while the nurse is not to blame for the mistake, it is still largely inappropriate for the doctor to ask them to explain the mix-up to the family. In situations involving sensitive information, it is generally expected that the person responsible for the communication—usually the doctor—should directly engage with the family. This is essential not only for accountability but also for effective communication of any nuances regarding the medical information or the circumstances of the error.

The rationale behind this is that the doctor has a professional responsibility to maintain the trust of the patient and their family, which is compromised when sensitive issues are assigned to other members of the healthcare team. While it may seem somewhat acceptable that the nurse could assist in the situation, ideally, the doctor should own up to the mistake and provide a clear, direct explanation.

The other options suggest varying degrees of appropriateness; however, they do not fully capture the importance of the doctor’s role in communicating with the family in emotionally charged situations like these.

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