Which of the following is an appropriate way to record the time a medication was given?

Recording the time a medication was given in hours and minutes is the most precise and effective method for ensuring clarity in medication administration records. This specificity helps to eliminate ambiguity and confusion regarding when the medication was administered, which is crucial for patient safety and monitoring.

When times are recorded accurately in hours and minutes, healthcare providers can easily track medication schedules, assess therapeutic effects, and manage any potential side effects based on the timing of doses. This detailed documentation allows for better communication among healthcare team members and helps to ensure compliance with medication protocols.

Though other formats exist, such as using ranges, general terms like "morning" or "evening," or the 24-hour format, these can introduce variability and may not provide the same level of clarity. For example, using "morning" or "evening" lacks the precision needed for exact timing, and ranges can create uncertainty about the exact time a medication was administered. In contrast, hours and minutes provide a clear, standardized method that can be universally understood and acted upon by anyone reviewing the medication administration records.