What should a nurse check for before administering a medication?

Before administering medication, it is essential for a nurse to check for patient allergies, potential medication interactions, and the patient's vital signs. This practice is critical to ensure patient safety and effective medication management.

Checking for allergies is necessary to prevent an adverse reaction to drugs that the patient may be sensitive to. Understanding medication interactions is equally vital since some medications can alter the effects of others, leading to increased side effects or reduced efficacy. Additionally, assessing the patient's vital signs can provide important information about their current health status and may help to identify if they are stable enough to receive the medication or if any adjustments are needed.

While knowing about a patient's financial status, family history, or previous hospitalizations can be relevant in certain contexts, they do not directly impact the immediate administration of medication in the same way that understanding allergies and interactions does. Therefore, these factors are not prioritized before medication administration. Prioritizing the direct safety measures ensures a more effective and responsible approach to patient care.