What is the function of a Medication Administration Record (MAR)?

The function of a Medication Administration Record (MAR) primarily revolves around tracking medication schedules. This document serves as an essential tool in nursing and clinical practice, allowing healthcare providers to clearly see what medications are prescribed to a patient, the dosages, times for administration, and the route of administration. By meticulously tracking when and how medications are given, staff can ensure adherence to the medication regimen, reduce the risk of errors, and maintain accurate records of patient care.

While other options involve important aspects of patient care—documenting allergies can help avoid adverse reactions, reporting adverse effects is crucial for patient safety, and recording patient vitals is vital for monitoring a patient's health status—they do not encapsulate the main purpose of the MAR. The primary aim of the MAR focuses on the specifics of medication administration rather than broader aspects of patient health record-keeping.