Safe medication administration is conducted according to 6 rights:

• Right client using 2 identifiers
• Right medication
• Right dose
• Right route
• Right time
• Right documentation

When a mentally competent client questions a drug administration, the safest option is to first check the prescription to verify the 6 rights of medication administration (Option 1). If an error is ruled out (eg, different brand, new order) the nurse should follow up with appropriate teaching.

(Option 2) The nurse must first verify all aspects of proper medication administration. If they are correct, the nurse should provide appropriate teaching on why the health care provider prescribed the medication. Explaining that the nurse is just following orders is rarely the correct answer.

(Option 3) A pharmacology reference can verify information about the medication but will not confirm that the client is the correct recipient. Acceptable identifiers include first and last name, medical record number, and birth date.

(Option 4) The nurse can teach the client about the purpose of the medication after the 6 rights have been verified.

Educational objective: When a competent client questions a new medication, the nurse should first verify the 6 rights of safe medication administration: right client, medication, dose, route, time, and documentation. If safe administration has been confirmed, the nurse should then provide appropriate teaching to the client.