What should be checked before administering a medication?

Before administering medication, it is essential to verify the medication order, check for any known allergies, and confirm the expiration dates. This practice is critical because it ensures patient safety by preventing allergic reactions and administering only medications that are still effective.

The medication order confirms that the right medication is being given in the correct dosage and via the appropriate route, tailored to the patient's specific condition. Checking for allergies is necessary to avoid potentially life-threatening adverse reactions. Additionally, verifying expiration dates ensures that the medication has not lost potency or undergone degradation, which could render it ineffective or unsafe.

While understanding a patient's feelings about the medication, the availability of the healthcare provider, and previous medications received can be important in the broader context of care, they do not directly tie into the immediate safety measures necessary right before administering a medication.