How many times should the medication label and MAR be compared during the administration process?

The correct answer is that the medication label and the Medication Administration Record (MAR) should be compared three times during the administration process to ensure patient safety and medication accuracy.

The three critical points for this comparison include:

1. At the point of selecting the medication: Before retrieving the medication, the aide should verify the MAR against the medication label to confirm that they are matching. This initial check helps to ensure that the correct medication is being chosen for administration.

2. Before preparing the medication: After selecting the medication, a second comparison takes place. This step is crucial to double-check the medication label against the MAR once more, ensuring that what is being prepared corresponds accurately to what is prescribed. It minimizes the risk of preparing the wrong dosage or even the wrong medication.

3. At the bedside, before administration: Finally, just before administering the medication to the patient, another comparison is made. This final check verifies that the medication, the dosage, and the timing are all as per the MAR, ensuring that the right patient is receiving the right medication at the right time.

These three checkpoints are vital in preventing medication errors, ensuring compliance with medication administration protocols, and enhancing overall patient safety.