A nurse is administering medication at the bedside. Which of the following actions should be the first priority?

a. The first priority when administering medication is to ensure the right patient is receiving the correct drug. This follows the "rights" of medication administration, which include right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. Identifying the patient prevents medication errors. b. Documentation is essential but should occur after administering the medication, not before confirming the correct patient and drug. c. Rechecking the medication label is important, but it should be done before reaching the patient’s bedside. Once at the bedside, patient identification takes priority. d. Obtaining orange juice may be necessary if the medication requires it, but ensuring the right patient receives the correct medication is the most critical initial step.