What is the first step in preparing for medication administration?

The first step in preparing for medication administration is washing your hands. This practice is critical for maintaining hygiene and preventing infections both for the person administering the medication and the individual receiving it. Handwashing removes dirt, bacteria, and other pathogens that could contaminate the medication and the person’s skin during administration.

While checking the Medication Administration Record (MAR) is essential for ensuring that the correct medication and dosage are provided, and putting on gloves is important for protecting both the caregiver and the recipient from contamination, these steps should be performed after proper hand hygiene. Preparing the medication comes as part of the process that follows these foundational practices. Thus, starting with handwashing establishes a clean and safe environment for all subsequent steps in medication administration.