The “six rights” of medication administration are:
A.
Medication, dose, route, time, client, documentation
B.
Medication, solution, doctor, shift, time, documentation
C.
Medication, order, signature, time, route, documentation
D.
Medication, client, signature, time, hospital, documentation
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Medication, dose, route, time, client, documentation.
Explanation:
The “six rights” of medication administration are fundamental principles to ensure the safe and effective delivery of medications to patients. These guidelines help healthcare providers avoid medication errors and promote patient safety. Here’s a detailed explanation of each component of the “six rights”:
- Medication: This right ensures that the correct medication is administered to the patient. It involves verifying the medication order and the medication itself to confirm that it matches the prescribed drug. This helps prevent errors such as administering the wrong drug.
- Dose: This right involves giving the correct dosage of the medication as prescribed by the healthcare provider. Accurate measurement and calculation of the dose are crucial to avoid overdoses or underdoses, which can lead to adverse effects or therapeutic failure.
- Route: This right refers to administering the medication via the correct route, such as oral, intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous. Different medications require specific routes to ensure they are absorbed properly and achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
- Time: This right ensures that the medication is given at the correct time and intervals. Adhering to the prescribed timing helps maintain therapeutic drug levels in the body and ensures the medication’s efficacy.
- Client: This right involves verifying the identity of the patient to ensure that the medication is administered to the correct individual. This typically involves checking the patient’s name and identification number against the medication order.
- Documentation: Proper documentation is essential for recording that the medication has been administered. It includes noting the time, dose, route, and any other relevant details. Documentation helps maintain accurate medical records and provides a reference for future care.
By adhering to these six rights, healthcare professionals can minimize the risk of medication errors and enhance patient safety. Each right addresses a critical aspect of medication administration, ensuring that medications are given correctly and effectively.