The principles of safe practice in medicines administration are commonly referred to as the ‘five rights’ (5Rs)of safe drug administration. These essential checks must be undertaken by the nurse in the administration of every medicine:
Right patient
Right drug
Right dose
Right route 
Right time
Crouch & Chapelhow (2013)
To help ensure that these 5 Rs are achieved every time a nurse administers medication there are some important principles that need to observed:
Identify the patient:. This includes checking the patient's name, date of birth and number by asking both the patient and their patient identity bracelet. 
Check for consent, according to capacity, to administer the medication
Check for any sensitivity/allergy. This should be recorded on the prescription sheet and an allergy should be identified by the wearing of a red patient identity bracelet
Check the dose has not been given already. This includes regular, as required (PRN) and once only prescription charts. Check the medication has been signed for by the presriber.
Select the medicine and dispense into an appropriate cup/container. Consider the correct dose, route and form. Check against the BNF if required. Compare the medicine against against the prescription sheet and medicine label. Check the expiry date. Calculate, measure or count the correct dose. Avoid contact with the medicine
Administer the medicine to the patient. Assess the patient's ability to take the medication. Check that the patient has taken the medicine. 
Record the administration. A signature is required, include non-administration , with the reason e.g. refused, asleep, not present
Report any adverse reactions/changes to the prescriber.
(Taken from NMC(2007) Standards for Medicines Management. These have since been withdrawn and replaced by RCN and Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidelines, however it is still a very appropriate and relevant sequence)

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