What is the first step to complete medication administration?

The first step in completing medication administration is to secure the medication. This is crucial because it ensures that the correct medication is obtained and that it is safely handled before administration to the patient. By securing the medication, healthcare providers can also verify the medication's identity, check for the right dosage, and assess any specific instructions regarding its usage. This step is fundamental in preventing errors and ensuring patient safety.

Other steps, such as washing hands or documenting in the medication record, are important but occur subsequently. Handwashing is an essential practice for infection control but should be done after securing the medication and before administration. Observing the effects of medication follows administration and is part of post-medication monitoring rather than the actual administration process itself.