What is the first step when preparing a topical medication for a resident?

• A. Wash hands
• B. Verify MAR with order, check allergies
• C. Assemble equipment: tray, med record, med cup, med, applicators, gloves, and trash bag
• D. Check MAR with label when removing from storage and again

Answer: (A)

Washing hands first is all about preventing infection and contamination. Before you touch the resident, the topical medication, or any equipment, clean hands reduce the chance of transferring germs to the medication or to the resident’s skin. This simple step sets a safe foundation for every med preparation.

After hands are clean, you would then move on to the safety checks and preparation steps—such as confirming the order and allergies to make sure you’re giving the right medication to the right person, and gathering the necessary supplies—because these steps depend on having clean hands to avoid introducing any contamination.