During medication reconciliation, which statement describes the correct practice?

• A. Medication reconciliation should occur only at discharge to prevent omissions.
• B. Prescribed medications should be obtained and herbs and supplements omitted.
• C. This process should occur at admission, client transfer, and discharge.
• D. Obtain a list of medications instead of reviewing the list with the client.

Answer: (C)

Medication reconciliation focuses on creating the most accurate med list by comparing what the patient reports with current orders, and it must happen at every transition of care. The best practice is to perform this process at admission, during transfers between units or facilities, and at discharge. Doing it at each point catches omissions, duplications, dosing errors, and potential drug interactions as the patient moves through care. It’s essential to collect all medications—prescription drugs, over-the-counter meds, herbs, supplements, and vitamins—and verify them with the patient, resolving discrepancies and updating the list for the next care team. Reviewing the list with the patient ensures understanding and safety, and including herbal and supplement products prevents missed interactions. A reconciliation done only at discharge or without patient involvement would miss issues from earlier transitions and reduce safety.