What should you do before taking out medication from the storage?

Before taking out medication from storage, it is essential to verify the Medication Administration Record (MAR) to ensure that the medication has not already been administered to the client. This practice is crucial for preventing medication errors and ensuring patient safety. The MAR provides a documented history of what medications have been given and when, helping to avoid the risk of administering the same medication twice or overlooking critical doses.

Ensuring that the medication is administered as scheduled and accurately reflects the client’s treatment plan is part of maintaining effective communication and accountability in the healthcare environment. This verification process enhances patient care and plays a significant role in pharmacological management.

While checking the expiry date, preparing all medications at once, or confirming with another nurse may be important practices in medication management, they do not directly address the necessity of confirming the administration status as outlined in the scenario. Properly consulting the MAR stands out as a critical step in safeguarding against potential medication errors.