What does the CRMA need to verify before administering a prescribed medication?

Verifying the medication label for accuracy is crucial to ensure that the correct medication is being administered to the right patient. The label provides essential information, including the patient’s name, the medication name, dosages, and instructions for use. This step helps prevent medication errors that can have serious consequences for the patient's health and wellbeing.

While checking the expiration date of the medication, confirming the patient's ID, and reviewing the medical history are all important practices in medication administration, the most immediate and critical verification before giving a medication is to ensure that the label matches what has been prescribed. This practice promotes safety and effectiveness in medication administration, aligning with the best practices for health care providers like CRMA.