What is the primary purpose of the medication administration record (MAR)?

• A. To list current medications, doses, routes, and schedules for each resident.
• B. To document financial charges for medications.
• C. To schedule deliveries to the unit.
• D. To track inventory of medications in stock.

Answer: (C)

The MAR is the official record that shows what medications a resident is supposed to receive and what was actually given, including the medication name, dose, route, scheduled times, and who administered each dose. This makes dosing accurate, helps catch missed or duplicate doses, and provides a legal, verifiable record of care for safety and accountability. It also supports clear communication among nurses, doctors, and the pharmacy about the resident’s treatment plan. Scheduling deliveries or handling inventory and charges are handled by other systems, so they’re not the primary purpose of the MAR.