What is the role of a nurse in preventing medication errors?

The role of a nurse in preventing medication errors primarily involves being aware of and adhering to the five rights of medication administration. These five rights include the right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. When nurses consistently follow these guidelines, they significantly reduce the risk of mistakes that can lead to adverse drug events.

Additionally, adherence to these safeguards allows nurses to ensure that they are not only administering the correct medications but also that they are aware of each patient's specific needs and potential interactions. This careful approach emphasizes the importance of diligence, attention to detail, and a patient-centered focus in nursing practice, all essential for maintaining safety in medication delivery.

The other options do not align with best practices in nursing. For example, administering medications with minimal checks directly contradicts the essential practice of verifying the five rights, which are designed to enhance patient safety. Focusing solely on patient complaints overlooks the broader responsibility of managing and monitoring medication administration properly. Prioritizing speed over accuracy fails to recognize the critical nature of following established protocols to avoid potentially harmful errors in patient care.