In the context of medication administration, what is the “five rights” principle?

The “five rights” principle in medication administration is a fundamental guideline used to ensure patient safety and the effective delivery of medications. The correct sequence involves verifying the right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. This systematic approach helps healthcare professionals avoid medication errors that could potentially harm patients.

Each component has a specific purpose:

• Confirming the right patient ensures that the medication is being administered to the correct individual.

• The right drug means checking that the medication prescribed is the one intended for that patient’s condition.

• Right dose pertains to verifying the amount of medication to be given, which is crucial to prevent underdosing or overdosing.

• Right route specifies the method of administration, whether it be oral, intravenous, or another method.

• Right time indicates that medications should be administered at the scheduled times to maintain their efficacy and contribute to optimal patient care.

The other options do not include all the components that reflect the widely recognized "five rights" of medication administration, thus lacking essential elements critical to patient safety.