Why is it important to verify a patient’s allergies before medication administration?

Verifying a patient’s allergies before medication administration is crucial primarily to prevent adverse reactions and ensure safety. If a patient has known allergies to specific medications, administering a drug that they are allergic to could lead to serious or life-threatening reactions. This verification process is a fundamental safety measure in medication management and reflects the principle of "do no harm." Allergic reactions can vary in severity, leading not only to physical harm but also emotional distress for the patient and potential legal implications for healthcare providers.

While choosing the correct medication is important, the immediate concern is safety and avoiding harm, making allergy verification paramount. Other options, such as compliance with insurance or limiting the number of medications, are not directly related to the immediate health impact of medication administration and do not prioritize patient safety in the way that confirming allergies does.