When preparing medications for delivery to an assigned patient, the nurse should check each medication for accuracy of drug and dose:

The correct answer is C: Three times. Checking each medication three times ensures thorough verification of drug and dose accuracy, reducing the risk of medication errors. The first check is typically during medication preparation, the second check before administering to the patient, and the third check just before administration as a final verification step. Checking only one time (A), two times (B), or five times (D) may not provide adequate assurance of accuracy and increases the likelihood of errors. Multiple checks are essential in medication administration to prioritize patient safety and prevent adverse outcomes.