The patient's medication is ordered to be administered TID. Which times will be entered into the patient's medication schedule?

Choice A reason: Removing in the medication room risks mix-ups; tablets could be dropped or misidentified before reaching the patient, compromising the three-check safety protocol.

Choice B reason: Outside the door is premature; without the patient present, verification against the MAR is incomplete, increasing error risk before final identity confirmation.

Choice C reason: At the cart is too early; medication stays packaged until bedside to ensure the right patient, right drug match, reducing handling errors or contamination.

Choice D reason: Bedside removal allows final MAR check with patient ID; it ensures accuracy, prevents mix-ups, and aligns with safety standards for administering oral medications.

Choice A reason: Narcotics are controlled substances requiring strict accountability; two nurses—one ending and one starting the shift—verify counts to ensure accuracy and prevent diversion per regulatory standards.

Choice B reason: The head nurse and pharmacist may oversee inventory, but shift change counts involve direct caregivers for real-time accuracy, not administrative staff, ensuring immediate responsibility and oversight.

Choice C reason: Involving all nurses from both shifts is impractical and unnecessary; it dilutes accountability and increases error risk, as only two are needed to confirm the count efficiently.

Choice D reason: Pharmacy technicians lack authority over unit narcotics, and the charge nurse alone doesn’t suffice; two nurses ensure a witnessed, reliable count per hospital policy and law.