Which action helps prevent medication errors with TO/VO?

• A. Skip allergy screening
• B. Rely on the screen saver to confirm
• C. Confirm allergies are checked and cross-check with the MAR
• D. Document with shorthand abbreviations

Answer: (C)

The key safety practice here is to verify patient-specific information and double-check the order before administration. When a medication order comes in by telephone or verbally, the most protective step is to confirm that the patient’s allergies have been checked and to cross-check the order against the Medication Administration Record. This ensures that there isn’t a known allergy that could cause a reaction and that the medication, dose, route, and timing match what is documented for the patient. Skipping allergy screening, relying on an unrelated screen saver, or using shorthand abbreviations can all lead to misinterpretation or missed safety alerts, increasing the risk of harm. By confirming allergies and cross-checking the MAR, you create a strong, practical safeguard against errors in TO/VO scenarios.