What are the five rights of medication administration?

The five rights of medication administration are fundamental principles that healthcare professionals follow to ensure safe and effective medication delivery. These principles are essential for minimizing the risk of errors and ensuring patient safety.

The correct answer encompasses the key components that must be verified before administering medication. These are:

1. Right Patient: Ensuring that the medication is given to the correct individual is crucial to prevent adverse effects or ineffective treatment.

2. Right Drug: Confirming that the right medication is selected from the pharmacy or medication storage site is vital, as giving the incorrect drug can lead to serious complications.

3. Right Time: Administering the medication at the correct time ensures that the medication achieves its intended effect and maintains therapeutic levels in the bloodstream.

4. Right Route: It is important to administer the medication via the prescribed method (oral, intravenous, etc.), as different routes of administration can significantly affect how a drug works in the body.

5. Right Dosage: Providing the correct amount of medication is essential, as underdosing can lead to inadequate treatment, while overdosing can result in toxicity or adverse reactions.

Together, these rights form a framework that helps to prioritize patient safety and drug efficacy in medication administration.