What are the five rights of medication administration?

The five rights of medication administration are critical principles that ensure patient safety and effective medication delivery. The correct answer identifies these five rights as: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time.

These five rights serve to verify that the correct medication is given to the right patient, in the appropriate dose, via the correct route, and at the designated time. This systematic approach is vital in preventing medication errors, which can lead to significant harm. Each element plays a specific role; for instance, confirming the right patient prevents mix-ups between individuals, while the right dose ensures that the patient receives an effective amount without risking overdose or underdose.

The other options contain inaccuracies or misrepresentations. For instance, one option mentions the "right process," which is not one of the established five rights. Another suggests "right doctor" and "right setting," which do not fit into the five rights framework and instead relate more to healthcare policies and procedures rather than medication administration itself. Recognizing the correct five rights not only enhances the safety of medication administration but also reinforces the responsibility of healthcare professionals to adhere to established protocols.