A nurse is planning to administer a controlled substance to a client who is experiencing pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take first?

A. Document the administration of the medication is an important step but should be done after the medication has been administered to ensure accurate record-keeping. B. Compare the amount of medication available to the inventory record is necessary to ensure that the correct amount of medication is being administered and to prevent discrepancies. However, it is not the first step in the process. C. Identify the client using two identifiers is the first and most crucial step to ensure that the correct patient is receiving the medication. This step helps prevent medication errors and ensures patient safety. D. Remove the medication from the medication dispensing cabinet is a necessary step but should be done after verifying the client’s identity to ensure the correct medication is given to the right patient.