What is the "six rights" principle in medication administration?

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The "six rights" principle in medication administration is a foundational concept in healthcare and pharmacology, emphasizing the importance of safety and accuracy when administering medications to patients. The correct answer encompasses the critical components that healthcare professionals must verify before giving medication.

The six rights identified—patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation—serve as a checklist to prevent errors.

  • "Right patient" ensures that the medication is administered to the correct individual.
  • "Right drug" verifies that the correct medication is used.
  • "Right dose" focuses on the accurate amount of medication given to avoid underdosing or overdosing.
  • "Right route" confirms that the medication is being given by the appropriate method (e.g., orally, intravenously).
  • "Right time" dictates the timing of medication administration, which is crucial for effectiveness and safety.
  • "Right documentation" entails recording all aspects of administration to maintain accurate medical records and ensure continuity of care.

This principle helps in providing safe patient care and minimizing the risk of medication errors, which can lead to adverse effects or complications. The other options do not accurately reflect the established "six rights" in medication administration, which is specifically focused on these six critical components. They introduce alternative elements

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