Which of the following is an important step in medication administration?

The correct answer highlights the importance of adhering to the three checks of the Medication Administration Record (MAR) in all situations. These checks are crucial to ensure safe medication administration. This process involves verifying the medication against the MAR at three critical points: when you remove the medication from its storage area, when you prepare the medication for administration, and just before you give the medication to the resident. This systematic approach minimizes the risk of errors and enhances patient safety.

In contrast, administering medications within the resident's living area might seem convenient, but it could lead to distractions and an increase in the potential for mistakes. Ignoring changes in a resident’s health can have serious implications for their well-being and could lead to administering inappropriate medications. Relying solely on memory for dosages is also dangerous, as it opens the door for errors in administration, which could result in giving the wrong dosage or missing medication altogether. Thus, adhering to the MAR's three checks is fundamental to maintaining medication safety and effectiveness.