What is the first step an MA-C must take before administering medication?

The first step an MA-C must take before administering medication is to confirm the order and check the patient’s identity. This practice is crucial for ensuring patient safety and medication accuracy.

By confirming the medication order, the MA-C verifies that the correct medication is to be administered as prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. This helps prevent mistakes such as administering the wrong medication or administering it at the wrong dosage. Additionally, checking the patient’s identity is essential in preventing medication errors. This typically involves using at least two identifiers, such as the patient’s name and date of birth, to ensure that the medication is given to the right patient.

Taking these initial steps helps protect the patient from potential harm and ensures compliance with safety protocols in medication administration.