What information is needed before administering any medication?

The essential information needed before administering any medication includes the resident's identification and the medication details. This comprehensive approach ensures patient safety and accuracy in medication administration.

Identifying the resident is critical to confirm that the right individual is receiving the medication, thereby preventing any potential mix-ups that could lead to administering the wrong medication to the wrong person. The medication details encompass not just the name and dosage of the medication but also important information such as the purpose of the medication, potential side effects, and the correct route of administration. Having this complete picture allows the medication aide to verify that everything aligns with the prescribed treatment plan and to monitor for adverse reactions effectively.

Other answer choices would not provide sufficient information. For instance, knowing only the medication name and dosage does not confirm the patient's identity or context for the medication's usage. Similarly, just knowing the route of administration is insufficient without the accompanying identification and medication specifics, as this could lead to critical oversights in the medication process. Historical medication records may inform about past treatments but do not reflect the current administration needs of each specific medication at the time of dosing. Therefore, having resident identification along with medication details is crucial for safe medication administration practices.