What item is sometimes added as an additional 'right' to the standard five rights of medication administration?

What item is sometimes added as an additional 'right' to the standard five rights of medication administration?

• A. Right patient
• B. Right documentation
• C. Right dose
• D. Right route

Answer: (B)

An extra right often added to the standard five rights is documentation. Recording when a medication is given, by whom, the dose, route, and time creates a clear, traceable record that accompanies the patient’s care. This documentation helps ensure safety by providing a communication link during handoffs, preventing missed or double doses, and allowing anyone on the care team to verify what was given and when. It also supports accountability and legal protectiveness for the healthcare team. The other options—patient, dose, and route—are already part of the original five rights, so the added item specifically referred to in practice is documentation.

An extra right often added to the standard five rights is documentation. Recording when a medication is given, by whom, the dose, route, and time creates a clear, traceable record that accompanies the patient’s care. This documentation helps ensure safety by providing a communication link during handoffs, preventing missed or double doses, and allowing anyone on the care team to verify what was given and when. It also supports accountability and legal protectiveness for the healthcare team. The other options—patient, dose, and route—are already part of the original five rights, so the added item specifically referred to in practice is documentation.