In what scenario should a medication administration record (MAR) be considered incorrect?

A medication administration record (MAR) should be considered incorrect when specific times are not indicated for prn (as needed) medications. This is crucial because prn medications are given at the discretion of the caregiver, and without clear guidelines on when they should be administered, there is a risk of either administering them too frequently or not at all. This lack of specificity can lead to potential medication errors, adversely affecting a patient's health.

PRN medications are often used to manage symptoms that can fluctuate, such as pain or anxiety, and the timing of administration is key to their effectiveness. Therefore, having specific times noted helps ensure that the medication is administered in a safe and effective manner, aligning with the prescriber's intent.

In contrast, the other scenarios, though they could indicate issues, do not immediately render the MAR incorrect in the way that ambiguity surrounding prn medication timing does. Missing signatures or documentation may suggest a lapse in proper procedure, but they do not directly affect the medication's appropriateness. Similarly, non-administrable doses point to a possible discrepancy but do not relate to the specific administration of required times for medications.