Which actions help reduce medication errors during medication administration? (Select all that apply)

A. Crushing all tablets for faster absorption: Not all tablets are safe to crush; enteric-coated or extended-release formulations can lose their therapeutic effect or cause toxicity if altered. Crushing indiscriminately increases the risk of medication errors and adverse effects.

B. Using current weight for weight-based dosages: Accurate, up-to-date weight is essential for calculating pediatric or weight-dependent medication dosages. Using outdated or estimated weights can lead to underdosing or overdosing, making this a key safety measure.

C. Documenting immediately after administration: Timely documentation ensures accurate tracking of medications given and prevents double dosing or omissions. Immediate recording supports communication among the healthcare team and reduces administration errors.

D. Administering medications without clarifying illegible orders: Giving medications without clarification is a major safety risk. Misreading an order can result in wrong drug, dose, route, or timing errors. Clarification with the prescriber is mandatory.

E. Comparing the medication label with the MAR: Verifying the medication against the MAR before administration ensures the right drug, dose, route, and time are given. This “five rights” check is a primary strategy to prevent errors during administration.