What safety measures should nurses take to prevent medication errors?

The chosen answer emphasizes critical safety measures that nurses should implement to prevent medication errors, which is vital in ensuring patient safety and effective care. Double-checking medication orders is crucial as it allows nurses to verify that the right medication, dose, patient, route, and time are being administered, which aligns with the "five rights" of medication administration. This systematic approach helps to minimize the risk of errors that can have serious consequences.

Additionally, using barcode scanning technology serves as an additional safeguard. This process allows for the verification of medications against the patient's record and prescribed orders, reducing the likelihood of human errors in medication administration. By adopting these practices, nurses can significantly enhance the accuracy and safety of their medication administration process, thereby protecting patients from potential harm.

In contrast, relying solely on verbal orders can lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications regarding medication prescriptions. Assuming medications are always correct when supplied disregards the necessity of checking for discrepancies or errors in the medication provided. While automating medication dispensing can improve efficiency, it is not foolproof and still requires verification by nurses to ensure accuracy. Thus, the comprehensive approach outlined in the correct answer is essential for a safe medication administration practice.