Which responsibility does a nurse have during medication administration?

The responsibility of verifying the right patient, medication, dose, route, and time is a critical aspect of safe medication administration. This process, often referred to as the "five rights" of medication administration, ensures that the nurse checks each of these factors to prevent medication errors that could potentially harm the patient.

This verification process requires the nurse to confirm the patient’s identity, match it with the medication order, ensure the dosage is appropriate for the patient, choose the correct route for administration (such as oral, intravenous, or subcutaneous), and administer the medication at the right time. By thoroughly verifying these elements, the nurse plays an essential role in providing safe and effective patient care, minimizing the likelihood of adverse effects or ineffective treatment.

The other options involve significant responsibilities that do not equate to the critical verification process necessary for safe medication administration. For example, while inspecting the medication for packaging integrity is important, it is just one step of many in the overall five rights process. Delegating responsibilities may be part of a nurse’s role but does not directly relate to the administration of medication. Administering all medications without questioning goes against the principle of nursing vigilance and could lead to significant patient safety issues.