What action should be taken when the label of a medication is illegible?

When faced with an illegible medication label, the most appropriate action is to address the issue in a way that ensures patient safety and adherence to safe medication practices. Relabeling the medication correctly, which is the correct answer, is important as it provides clarity about the contents and instructions for administration.

Proper labeling is crucial to prevent medication errors that can lead to serious consequences for patients. It is essential that healthcare providers can identify the medication, its dosage, administration route, and any pertinent information such as expiration dates or storage instructions. If the label is unclear, it poses a risk of administering the wrong medication or incorrect dosage, which could result in adverse effects.

The other choices, while they may seem like potential options, compromise patient safety. Ignoring the label disregards the risks associated with administering unknown medications. Asking a coworker for their interpretation does not ensure accuracy and could perpetuate the original error. Storing it away until further notice may delay necessary treatment and does not resolve the issue of the illegibility, allowing for potential confusion when the medication is needed.

Therefore, relabeling the medication correctly provides a solution that maintains safety and ensures that the medication can be used properly by those administering care.