What is the first step when preparing for medication administration?

The first step when preparing for medication administration is to check the name of the medication. This is crucial because verifying the medication's name ensures that the correct drug is being administered to the patient. Administering the wrong medication can lead to serious adverse effects and compromise patient safety. By confirming the medication name first, healthcare providers can further assess the appropriateness of the drug for the patient's specific condition and treatment plan.

Once the medication name is confirmed, other important checks such as dosage, route of administration, and time of administration can follow. However, identifying the correct medication at the outset lays the essential groundwork for safe medication practices.