A 10-year-old child with type 1 diabetes is admitted to the hospital with elevated blood glucose levels.The pediatric nurse is preparing to administer insulin.What is the most important step the nurse should take before administering insulin to ensure the safety of the child?

Choice A rationaleAsking if the child has eaten recently is important for understanding potential causes of elevated blood glucose and to consider the timing of insulin administration relative to meals. However, it does not directly ensure the medication being administered is correct for the right patient.Choice B rationaleVerifying the child's identity using at least two identifiers and comparing the medication order to the prescription ensures that the right medication, dose, route, and time are being administered to the correct patient. This is a critical step in preventing medication errors and ensuring patient safety, especially with a high-risk medication like insulin.Choice C rationaleEnsuring the child is comfortable and relaxed is beneficial for the child's overall well-being and can indirectly influence physiological parameters. However, it does not directly address the critical step of verifying the medication and patient identity before administration.Choice D rationalePreparing insulin without checking the expiration date is a medication error. Expired medications may have reduced potency or altered chemical properties, potentially leading to ineffective treatment or adverse effects. Checking the expiration date is a fundamental safety check.