Medication orders
This tells the MA what medication to give and how to give it.
What is the medication order (name, dose, time, and route)?
How many times should the medication label be checked?
What is three times?
What is the Right Patient?
Verify the patient using full name and date of birth before giving medication.
Consent for medication should be obtained before this step.
What is preparing the medication?
An MA removes a medication from storage but is interrupted before preparing it. Which check must be repeated?
What is the first check?
What is the Right Medication?
Check the label three times to make sure the drug, strength, and dose match the order.
The MA must explain the medication, dosage, and route to the patient for this reason.
What is patient consent?
Why is the third check important even though the medication is already given?
What is to prevent future errors?
What is the Right Form?
Medications can be tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, or drops; ensure you give the correct type.
This document is used to verify medication information before giving it.
What is MAR (Medication Administration Record)?
A medication is prepared correctly but placed back in storage without verification. Which check was skipped?
What is the third check?
What is the Right Patient?
Asking the patient to state their name and checking their MAR protects this right.
Failure to properly check medication orders can lead to this serious outcome.
What are medication errors?
The “three befores” help confirm these two details besides the medication name.
What is strength and dose?
What is the Right Form?
Giving the wrong type (tablet instead of liquid) can affect safety and effectiveness.