What is the proper action when a medication label is unreadable and you cannot determine the correct medication?

• A. Administer based on memory.
• B. Administer with a guess and proceed.
• C. Request a new label or clarification and verify with the nurse or pharmacy.
• D. Do not administer; seek clarification and obtain a readable label before administration.

Answer: (D)

The essential idea is patient safety through proper drug identification. If a label is unreadable, you cannot confirm what medication you’re about to give, so guessing or relying on memory risks delivering the wrong drug, wrong dose, or wrong route. The safest course is to stop and obtain a readable label, then verify the drug details with the nurse or pharmacy before administration. Request a new label or clarification, confirm the exact medication, dose, and route, and only proceed once everything is clearly verified. This approach upholds safe medication practices and helps prevent potentially dangerous errors.