Which items appear on the MAR with a different color background compared to current medications?

The items that appear on the MAR (Medication Administration Record) with a different color background compared to current medications are specifically those that are completed, discontinued, or scheduled for future administration. This color differentiation is employed to clearly indicate medications that should not be administered currently, which aids nursing staff and pharmacists in avoiding medication errors.

Completed medications are those that have been administered and are no longer active, while discontinued medications have been intentionally stopped by a prescriber. Future medications, on the other hand, indicate prescriptions that are planned for upcoming dates but are not yet due. Using a different color for these categories ensures that anyone reviewing the MAR can quickly distinguish between active medications that should be administered and those that should not be considered for current administration.

This system enhances patient safety by providing a visual alert to healthcare providers, preventing potential mix-ups that could occur if all entries were displayed uniformly.