While preparing to administer medication, the nurse safely verifies the patient's identity by:

Explanation

•Checking the patient's identification band is the safest option because the identification band is placed on the patient's limb during admission and should not removed. Most State regulations make ID bands a requirement for short-term care.

•When the patient is a minor, asking the parent or legal guardian to identify the patient is acceptable in addition to comparing the ID band with the medical information record.

•Nursing homes are not required by law to use ID bands, but must have in place procedures for patient identification.

•Nurses must check at least two identification methods, which may include verifying the date of birth or confirming the patient's name.

•The patient's room is not an acceptable way of confirming patient identity.

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