When should medication administration records (MAR) be checked?

The correct choice is to check medication administration records (MAR) before giving medications. This practice ensures that the caregiver verifies the specific medications that are due, the correct dosages, and any special instructions related to those medications. It is a crucial step in the medication administration process to prevent errors, such as giving the wrong medication or dosage, or failing to account for patient-specific factors like allergies or interactions.

By consulting the MAR beforehand, the caregiver can confirm that the medications align with the physician's orders and can consider the patient's current status and needs. This proactive approach promotes patient safety, enhances the quality of care provided, and helps maintain accurate records regarding medication administration. Checking the MAR only after administration or at the start of a shift does not provide the same level of assurance and could increase the risk of medication errors. Additionally, checking the MAR "whenever you have time" is not systematic and could result in neglecting this critical safety step.