Which factor is essential to verify before administering medication?

Verifying the patient's identity is crucial before administering medication to ensure that the right patient receives the right medication. This step is fundamental to patient safety and helps prevent medication errors, which can have serious consequences. Often, healthcare facilities utilize methods such as asking the patient to state their name and date of birth, or using wristbands with identification details to confirm that the correct person is being treated. Ensuring accurate patient identification minimizes the risk of mix-ups that could lead to administering medications intended for someone else, which is critical in maintaining patient safety and delivering effective care.