What is the primary role of nurses regarding medication safety?

The primary role of nurses regarding medication safety is to prevent medication errors. This responsibility encompasses a variety of critical functions, including verifying medication orders, ensuring the accuracy of dosages, checking for potential drug interactions, and assessing patient allergies. Nurses also play a vital role in educating patients about their medications, which fosters adherence and enhances safety. Each step taken by nurses is aimed at minimizing the risk of harm to patients, thereby promoting overall safety in medication administration.

While supervising clients during medication intake and informing them about medications are important roles that support safety efforts, the foundational responsibility is to actively prevent errors in medication management. Administering medications based on personal judgment is not advisable and can lead to significant safety risks, emphasizing that adherence to established protocols and standards is crucial in ensuring effective medication safety practices.