Which of the following is commonly listed as a sixth 'right' to accompany the five rights of medication administration?

• A. Right patient
• B. Right time
• C. Right documentation
• D. Right reason

Answer: (C)

Documenting medication administration is the sixth right. After you give a medication, you record it clearly in the nursing record (MAR or eMAR), noting the drug name, dose, route, exact time, and the patient. This creates a verifiable trail that shows what was given and when, which is essential for safety, accountability, and continuity of care. If the patient refuses, or if an adverse reaction occurs, those details are documented along with any follow-up plan. Prompt, accurate documentation helps prevent errors like double-dosing, supports communication among the care team, and provides legal and quality-improvement data. The other ideas—ensuring the patient is correct and the timing is correct—are already part of the core five rights; while documenting the rationale for a medication is important, it is not typically listed as the sixth right.