FREE STUDY · 3 MIN LESSON
The Rights and Three Checks
Read the lesson, then use the free narrated cards to check what you remember. Knowledge practice does not replace approved training, supervised practice or a competency assessment. Follow the rules for your role, state and workplace.
What are the 6 core rights of medication administration?
- A common six-right framework checks the right resident, medication, dose, route, time and documentation.
- Also respect refusal and observe the response.
- A checklist supports careful administration; it does not replace the order or local requirements.
How do you confirm you have the RIGHT PATIENT before giving a medication?
- Use two approved, independent identifiers, such as full name and date of birth, and match them to the medication record.
- A wristband is a place to read identifiers, not an additional identifier by itself.
- Do not use room number as identification.
What are the THREE CHECKS and when do you do each one?
- Compare the label with the MAR when removing the medicine from storage, while preparing it, and again at the final check.
- In the NC adult-care procedure, the last check is before returning a multidose container to storage, or before giving a unit dose.
- Follow the approved procedure for the packaging in use.
When do you document on the MAR — before or after the resident takes the medication?
- Document administration after it actually occurs, following the MAR procedure.
- Verify the medicine was taken or applied by its ordered route.
- If it was refused, omitted or not fully taken, record the actual event and notify the appropriate supervisor.
What is the right TIME in medication administration, and how is the window determined?
- Follow the ordered time, product instructions and approved medication-timing policy.
- Some medicines are time-critical or tied to meals.
- Ask for clarification when timing conflicts or a dose is late; do not choose a new schedule or double a dose yourself.
What is the resident's right to refuse, and what should you do if a resident refuses a medication?
- Respect a resident’s refusal.
- Offer a brief explanation without pressure, report the refusal to the designated nurse or supervisor and document it using the MAR procedure.
- Do not force, conceal or falsely chart the medicine as given.
What information must be clear before administering a medicine?
- Confirm the resident, medicine, dose, route, frequency or time, and any special instructions against the authorized order and MAR.
- Check for start or stop directions when applicable.
- Resolve missing, conflicting or illegible information before preparation; do not fill gaps from habit.