What must be confirmed before dispensing a prescription?

Before dispensing a prescription, it is essential to confirm the patient’s identity and the prescription's accuracy. This step is crucial to ensure that the correct medication is provided to the right individual, minimizing the risk of medication errors that could lead to serious health consequences. Verifying the patient's identity involves checking identification details to ensure that the prescription is being dispensed to the intended recipient, while confirming prescription accuracy ensures that the dosage, medication details, and directions are precise and meet safety standards.

The other options, while important in their contexts, do not directly impact the immediate safety and effectiveness of the medication being dispensed. Stock levels can affect the availability of a medication but do not pertain to the accuracy of what is being dispensed. A patient's financial situation, although relevant to the dispensing process, is not essential in ensuring that the prescription itself is correct or safe. Lastly, knowing the pharmacy's hours of operation is necessary for operational logistics but does not relate to the immediate verification required before dispensing medication.