Which of the following medication orders is administered immediately and only once?

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

A Stat order, from the Latin word 'statim', means it must be administered immediately.
This is a single-dose, one-time order used in urgent or emergency situations.
The primary purpose is to address a critical change in the patient's condition without delay.
An example includes administering an intravenous antihistamine during a severe allergic reaction.

Option A: A single order is given only once, but it is scheduled for a specific time. It is not for immediate, emergency administration.
Option B: A PRN (pro re nata) order means 'as needed'. It is not a one-time order and is given based on the patient's symptoms, not necessarily immediately upon being written.
Option D: A standing order is a routine order that is carried out until it is canceled or for a specified number of days. It often involves repeated doses.

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.
In a clinical setting, a nurse must immediately prioritize a Stat order over all other routine tasks. This rapid response is critical for patient safety and can prevent serious adverse events.
Failure to administer a Stat medication in a timely manner can be considered negligence and may lead to significant patient harm or mortality.
What if? If a doctor tells a nurse "Give Lasix 40mg IV now," it is a verbal Stat order that must be administered immediately and then documented. If the order was "Give Lasix 40mg IV this morning," it would be a single order, not a Stat order.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the question and identify the key descriptive phrases: "administered immediately" and "only once".
Next, recall the definitions of the four types of medication orders listed in the options.
Evaluate each option against the key phrases.
A 'Single order' is given once, but not necessarily immediately.
A 'PRN order' is given as needed, so it is not a one-time order.
A 'Standing order' is typically routine and involves multiple doses.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q-zdHzJqdVa_bbvX2-6_xv

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 pp. 144-146, 145-147

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 846-848

Practise the full AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

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