When preparing to administer any drug to a client, consider what is often referred to as the “Five Rights” of medication administration:

• Right client
• Right route
• Right drug
• Right dose
• Right time

A sixth right often mentioned, but not part of the original five, is the right documentation. Don’t forget to administer the drug to the client first, and then document. Documenting beforehand is considered falsification of documentation and is a violation of the nurse practice act.

Source: Stressed Out About Drug Interactions, HCPro Inc., 2007. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com