Which of the following should the medical assistant verify with the patient prior to the patient receiving a prescription for their acute ear infection?

Verifying medication allergies prior to a patient receiving a prescription is critical for ensuring patient safety and preventing adverse drug reactions. Allergies can lead to severe or even life-threatening responses when a patient is prescribed medication that they are allergic to. A medical assistant must confirm this information to choose an appropriate medication and avoid those that might cause harm. Neglecting to check for allergies can result in serious complications during treatment.

While it's important to also consider current medications and recent surgical history, medication allergies are paramount because they have immediate implications for the patient's safety with any new prescription. Understanding previous infections can help guide treatment but is not as critical as confirming the patient's allergies at the time of prescribing.