What is a significant risk associated with verbal orders?

The significant risk associated with verbal orders is that they can be easily miscommunicated. Verbal orders, while sometimes necessary in urgent situations, can lead to misunderstandings due to various factors such as mishearing, unfamiliar terminology, or lack of clarity. These factors increase the likelihood of errors in medication administration or treatment protocols, potentially leading to adverse patient outcomes.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the inherent risks of verbal orders. Writing down verbal orders immediately is an important protocol that, if followed, can mitigate some of the risks but does not negate the initial risk of miscommunication. The assumption that verbal orders are less likely to be forgotten is also misleading, as miscommunication can lead to misinterpretation or delayed action. Lastly, while verbal orders may save time in certain situations, the risk of mistakes and the potential need for clarification can ultimately create additional time-consuming complications in patient care.