Which of the following is a limitation of electronic prescribing?

• A. Improved audit trails
• B. Real-time drug interaction checks
• C. Alert fatigue and data-entry errors
• D. Standardized orders

Answer: (C)

Electronic prescribing can greatly improve safety, but one key limitation is the potential for alert fatigue and data-entry errors. When a system generates frequent alerts—about potential drug interactions, duplications, allergies, or dosing issues—clinicians may become desensitized and start overriding or ignoring them. This diminishes the intended safety benefit because important warnings might be missed in the rush of daily practice. Data-entry errors are another risk: mistakes in typing a drug name, dose, route, or frequency, or choosing the wrong item from a dropdown, can lead to incorrect prescriptions. These issues arise from human interaction with the digital system and can counteract the safety advantages of e-prescribing.

The other options describe strengths of electronic prescribing. Improved audit trails enhance accountability and traceability of who did what. Real-time drug interaction checks provide proactive safety checks before a prescription is finalized. Standardized orders promote consistency and reduce variability, all of which improve safety rather than limit it.