Which of the following is a step in preparing to assist with medication administration?

The correct step in preparing to assist with medication administration is comparing the medication storage containers to the Medication Administration Record (MAR). This step is crucial because it ensures that the right medication is being given to the correct resident at the appropriate dosage and time. By comparing the physical medication storage with the documented information on the MAR, you can verify that there has been no error in medication dispensing and that all necessary precautions are taken to maintain safety and efficacy in medication administration. This process is fundamental to preventing medication errors and safeguarding patient health.

Examining the residents' files may be part of the overall process but is not specifically a step in the immediate preparation for medication administration. Removing all medications at once is inefficient and increases the risk of mix-ups, making it a poor practice. Identifying the resident's safety plan is important in general care, but it does not pertain directly to the step of preparing for medication administration itself. Thus, the act of comparing the medication containers to the MAR is the most relevant and accurate step in this context.