Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

How many times (at minimum) should a medical assistant check a medication before it is administered to the patient?

1. 1 time

2. 2 times

3. 3 times

4. 4 times

The correct answer is: 3 times

The practice of checking medication before administration is critical for patient safety and to prevent medication errors. The correct response indicates that a medical assistant should check the medication at least three times. The "three checks" method typically involves verifying the medication: 1. When the medication is taken out of the storage area, ensuring it's the correct drug as per the doctor's orders. 2. After preparing the medication, confirming that it is still the correct drug and verifying the dosage. 3. Immediately before administering the medication to the patient, ensuring it matches the prescription and confirming the patient’s identity. This systematic approach significantly reduces the risk of administering the wrong medication or dosage and ensures that the patient receives the right treatment. In contrast, fewer checks might not sufficiently authorize the medication, introducing larger risks of errors. Hence, a minimum of three checks is considered a best practice in medication administration.