Which of the following must be included when counseling a patient?

When counseling a patient, providing the name and description of the medication is essential because it helps the patient understand what they are taking, including its purpose and how it works. This foundational information is crucial for ensuring patient safety and adherence to the prescribed therapy. Patients need to know the specific medication they are receiving, as well as any pertinent details about it, which aids in recognizing potential side effects and interactions with other drugs or conditions they may have.

Other aspects like the price of the medication, the brand name manufacturer, or the pharmacy's return policy, while potentially useful in different contexts, do not fall under the core counseling elements mandated for effective medication management and patient education. The focus of counseling should prioritize the therapeutic aspects and safety of the medication rather than pricing or return policies, which do not directly relate to the patient's understanding of the medication’s use and effects.