What must be verified before administering a medication?

Before administering medication, it is crucial to verify the resident’s identity and the medication order. This step is essential to ensure that the right resident is receiving the correct medication as prescribed. Mistakes in medication administration can lead to serious health consequences, including adverse reactions or ineffective treatment.

Verifying the resident's identity typically involves checking identifiers such as the resident’s name and date of birth against the medication administration record (MAR). This ensures that the medication is not given to the wrong person, which safeguards the resident’s safety and well-being.

Confirming the medication order is equally important because it includes details such as the specific medication, dosage, and timing of administration, which are vital to providing the correct treatment. This verification process helps maintain high standards of safety and efficacy in medication management within assisted living facilities.