What must a nurse verify in order to ensure the right dose is administered?

Verifying two approved client identifiers is crucial in ensuring the right dose is administered to a patient. This practice is a fundamental standard in nursing and healthcare, aimed at preventing medication errors. By using two identifiers, such as the patient's name and date of birth or their medical record number, the nurse can confirm that the medication being given is intended for the correct individual. This process significantly reduces the risk of administering the wrong medication or dosage to the wrong patient, which is a key safety measure in medication administration.

While verifying a patient's allergies, current medication history, and family medical history are all important aspects of patient care and risk management, they do not directly confirm the identity of the patient receiving the medication. The focus on client identifiers plays a preventive role at the point of medication delivery, which is vital for patient safety.