What action should a medical assistant take to confirm a prescription request that has been called into a pharmacy?

The action of providing the patient with a prescription marked "Copy only" serves to confirm a prescription request that has been called into a pharmacy by ensuring that the patient has a tangible, verifiable document reflecting their medication needs. This document clearly indicates to both the patient and the pharmacy that it is a copy of a prescription, thereby helping to prevent confusion regarding its status or validity.

In the scenario of a prescription request, it is essential for the patient to be informed that they are responsible for taking the "Copy only" prescription to the pharmacy, avoiding potential discrepancies in medication management. This step also ensures that the pharmaceutical staff are aware that the prescription was previously initiated, and the patient is following up as needed.

Other options, such as sending an electronic copy directly or asking the pharmacy to print a prescription without confirming its status can complicate prescription management and may not adequately inform the patient about the process. Obtaining verbal confirmation from the patient might not provide a formal record or assurance to the pharmacy. Therefore, providing a "Copy only" prescription to the patient is a clear and practical approach to confirming prescription requests.