A physician order, means medication to be given only once at a specified time?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

Explanation

A single order, or one-time order, is a prescription to be administered only one time at a specific, scheduled moment.
This is distinct from other order types that are either immediate, recurring, or based on patient need.
These orders are frequently used for pre-operative medications (e.g., an antibiotic before surgery) or for drugs administered before a diagnostic test.

Option A: A 'Stat' order requires the medication to be given immediately and only once. The key differentiator is the urgency ('immediately') rather than a 'specified time'.
Option B: A 'PRN' (pro re nata) order means the medication is given 'as needed' based on a patient's symptoms, like pain or nausea, not at a fixed, single time.
Option D: A 'Standing' order is a routine order that is carried out continuously (e.g., daily, every 8 hours) until it is officially discontinued by the provider.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Types of Medication Orders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the different types of medication orders is fundamental to safe nursing practice and prevents medication errors related to timing and frequency.
Nurses must always follow the '10 Rights of Medication Administration,' including the Right Time, which is critical for single, stat, and standing orders.
What if? If the order stated 'Vancomycin 1 g IV now,' it would be a 'Now Order.' This is different from a Stat order; it means the medication should be given quickly but allows the nurse up to 90 minutes for administration.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the question: 'only once' and 'at a specified time'.
The phrase 'only once' helps eliminate 'Standing order' (which is continuous) and 'PRN order' (which can be given multiple times as needed).
This leaves 'Stat order' and 'Single order,' both of which are given once.
The final key is 'at a specified time.' This differentiates it from a 'Stat order,' which means 'immediately.'
Therefore, an order given once at a pre-determined time is a 'Single order'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 144-146

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 846-848

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.