What should a technician do before administering medications to a patient?

Before administering medications to a patient, ensuring additional verification is crucial to patient safety and accurate medication administration. This process typically involves double-checking the medication order against the patient's records, confirming the right patient, medication, dose, route, and time, a practice often summarized by the "Five Rights" of medication administration. Additional verification may include consulting with a pharmacist or checking for potential drug interactions, allergies, or contraindications related to the patient's medical history.

This systematic approach minimizes the risk of errors in medication administration and safeguards patient well-being by ensuring that any discrepancies or concerns are addressed before the medication is given. By focusing on this verification process, technicians uphold safety protocols and clinical standards that are essential in a healthcare setting.