What is the role of the Medication Administration Record (MAR)?

The Medication Administration Record (MAR) plays a crucial role in healthcare settings by documenting all medications administered to a patient in a legal and systematic manner. This record serves multiple purposes, including ensuring accurate medication administration, monitoring patient compliance, and providing vital information for healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding a patient's treatment plan.

By accurately capturing each instance of medication administration, the MAR helps prevent medication errors and promotes patient safety. It is an essential tool for healthcare professionals, as it provides a comprehensive overview of a patient's medication history, which can be critical during assessments, unit transfers, or emergency situations.

The other options do not align with the primary function of the MAR. Personal notes on the patient, if needed, would usually be recorded separately in a different type of documentation to maintain objectivity and professionalism. Recording unapproved medication changes would be irresponsible and not part of the MAR's purpose; such actions can put patients at risk and violate healthcare protocols. While the MAR can provide insight for future prescriptions based on past administration, its primary role is not to serve as a guide for prescribing but to track and provide accountability for medications that have been administered.