What must be checked before administering a medication?

Before administering a medication, it's essential to verify the patient's identity, medication label, dosage, and route of administration. This step is fundamental in ensuring the medication is given safely and effectively. Confirming the patient's identity reduces the risk of administering medication to the wrong individual, which can lead to serious errors. The medication label provides critical information about the drug, including its name, strength, and expiration date, ensuring the correct medication is being given. The dosage must be matched to what is prescribed, as administering too much or too little can have significant health implications. Additionally, the route of administration—whether oral, intravenous, or another method—must align with the type of medication and the intended treatment to maximize efficacy and minimize adverse effects.

While checking a patient's medical and family history, as well as previous allergies and test results, is valuable for understanding potential medication interactions or contraindications, it is the verification of identity, medication specifics, and administration details that is crucial at the moment of administration for patient safety.