What is the first step in preparing for medication administration?

Washing your hands is the first step in preparing for medication administration because it is a critical practice in infection control and ensuring patient safety. Proper hand hygiene helps prevent the transmission of pathogens and reduces the risk of contamination when handling medications. This step emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean environment both for the healthcare provider and the patient.

While checking the MAR (Medication Administration Record) and preparing the medication are essential parts of the medication administration process, these steps typically follow after ensuring that the healthcare provider's hands are clean. Donning gloves is also an important practice, but it comes after handwashing, especially in situations where direct contact with bodily fluids is anticipated. Therefore, starting with hand hygiene lays the groundwork for safe and effective medication administration.