Which are the six rights of medication administration?

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

Answer: (D)

The six rights of medication administration ensure safe and accurate delivery by verifying key elements before giving a drug and recording it afterward. The six are: the right patient, the right drug, the right dose, the right route, the right time, and the right documentation. Each right targets common points of error: confirming the patient’s identity prevents giving medication to the wrong person; verifying the drug name ensures you’re administering the intended medicine; checking the dose avoids under- or overdosing; confirming the route guarantees the medicine is delivered the way it’s meant to be; timing alignment with the order ensures therapeutic effect and avoids missed or overlapping doses; documenting after administration creates a traceable record for safety, accountability, and future care decisions. Skipping any one element increases risk of harm or confusion—for example, without documentation, it’s easy to lose track of what was given, when, and to whom.