What should always be done with each medication administered to each resident?

The correct choice emphasizes the critical importance of ensuring that the medication administered matches what has been prescribed for the resident. Checking the medication label against the Medication Administration Record (MAR) is a vital step in the medication administration process. This verification process helps confirm that the right drug, dose, route, and administration time correspond to the orders specified for that particular resident.

This practice is crucial for preventing medication errors, which can lead to serious health complications or even jeopardize a patient’s safety. It also ensures that the treatment plan is being followed correctly and that the resident is receiving the correct medication as intended by the healthcare provider.

While other options involve important aspects of medication administration—like confirming a resident's identity, checking expiration dates, and documenting medications administered—these steps are part of the broader processes that support safe medication administration, and they do not take precedence over the verification of what is being given against the MAR. This verification is fundamental to ensuring correct medication management and is a critical nursing practice standard in most healthcare settings.