Which set lists the five rights of medication administration?

• A. Right patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right route, Right time.
• B. Right patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right route, Right documentation.
• C. Right patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right time, Right documentation.
• D. Right patient, Right drug, Right route, Right time, Right patient.

Answer: (A)

The five rights focus on a safety check before giving any medication: you confirm the patient, the drug, the dose, the route, and the time. Each piece serves to ensure the right medicine reaches the right person in the right amount and given in the right way at the right moment. Verifying the patient’s identity protects against administering to the wrong person. Verifying the drug name confirms you’re giving what was prescribed. Checking the dose prevents under- or overdosing. Ensuring the correct route guarantees the medication is absorbed as intended. Administering at the correct time aligns with the order and maintains therapeutic levels.

Documentation is essential for a complete medical record and accountability, and many guidelines call it the sixth right, but it isn’t part of the original five. That’s why a set that includes documentation while omitting one of the five (or swaps it for documentation) isn’t the standard five rights. In practice, you’d also verify the MAR, check the medication label, confirm expiration, and review patient allergies to further safeguard care.