What should a nurse verify before administering a medication?

Before administering a medication, it is crucial for a nurse to verify the patient’s medication history and allergies. This step is essential in ensuring patient safety and preventing adverse drug reactions. A thorough understanding of a patient's medication history allows the nurse to check for any potential interactions with the new medication and guarantees that any contraindications are considered.

Reviewing the patient's allergies is equally important because administering a medication that a patient is allergic to can lead to severe, possibly life-threatening reactions. By confirming this information, the nurse can ensure that the medication prescribed is appropriate and safe for the individual patient.

While observing the medication's color, checking its packaging, and considering the cost can be part of the medication verification process, they are not as critical to the safety and efficacy of medication administration as verifying a patient's medication history and allergies. Focusing on the patient's specific needs and risks is vital for effective nursing practice.