Which essential actions should the nurse perform before giving routine medications to a patient? Select all that apply.

Choice A rationale Scanning the patient's ID band is an essential step in the modern "five rights" or "six rights" of medication administration, directly addressing the right patient and right dose safety checks. The barcode scanning system electronically verifies the patient's identity against the prescribed medication in the electronic health record, significantly reducing medication errors. Choice B rationale Calling the patient's name is a component of verifying identity, but it is not sufficient on its own, especially for confused or hearing-impaired patients. Essential actions require at least two patient identifiers, such as name and date of birth, which must be cross-checked with the patient's identification band or chart. Choice C rationale Taking a screenshot of the medication order is not a standard, essential step in the routine medication administration process. Medication orders should be accessed and documented directly within the secure electronic health record (EHR) or official paper chart for safety, legality, and to maintain the integrity of the patient's record. Choice D rationale Assessing the patient is crucial before medication administration to establish a baseline, identify potential contraindications, and ensure the medication is appropriate for the patient's current clinical status. For example, assessing blood pressure before an antihypertensive, or pain level before an analgesic, ensures the "right indication" and "right dose.”. Choice E rationale Verifying medication allergies is a mandatory and essential safety check before administering any drug to prevent a hypersensitivity reaction, which can range from mild rash to life-threatening anaphylaxis. This step ensures the "right patient" safety by confirming the medication will not cause harm; documentation is checked against patient verbal report.