What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation on admission?

• A. To minimize time spent reviewing meds
• B. To ensure only hospital medications are used
• C. To verify patient understands all dosage instructions
• D. To identify and resolve discrepancies between home meds and prescribed meds to prevent med errors

Answer: (D)

Medication reconciliation on admission focuses on creating an accurate, complete list of all medications a patient is taking at home and comparing that list with what is prescribed in the hospital. The goal is to identify and resolve any discrepancies—such as a home medication that the hospital plan has stopped, a missing home med that should be continued, duplications, incorrect dosing, or potential drug interactions—and to prevent medication errors or adverse drug events. This process ensures continuity and safety as the patient transitions into the hospital setting. It’s not about saving time, restricting to hospital meds, or ensuring patient understanding of instructions, though those are important in their own right; the primary aim is safe, coordinated medication management at admission.