Which of the following is a key step before administering any medication?

Verifying the patient's identity is critically important prior to administering medication. This step ensures that the right patient receives the right medication, at the right dosage, and at the right time. This practice is essential in preventing medication errors, which can lead to serious adverse effects or even life-threatening situations.

In a healthcare setting, confirming the patient’s identity typically involves checking their name against their medical records, as well as possibly using other identifiers such as date of birth or a patient ID number. Ensuring accuracy in this process directly contributes to patient safety and effective medication management.

The other options, while they could be relevant in certain contexts, do not address the immediate safety concerns associated with medication administration. Checking the weather report does not impact medication safety, consulting with the patient’s family may not always be necessary or appropriate depending on the situation, and reading about the medication, while informative, does not replace the fundamental necessity of confirming the patient's identity.