A clinician writes a dose labeled 'stat'. How should this dose be administered?

A clinician writes a dose labeled 'stat'. How should this dose be administered?

• A. Immediately after a nurse signs the order.
• B. At the next scheduled dose.
• C. Administer immediately.
• D. After confirming the patient is awake.

Answer: (C)

Stat means immediate administration. When a dose is labeled stat, it is intended to be given right away, not waited for the next scheduled dose. In practice you still confirm the five rights (right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time) and perform any necessary safety checks, but you administer the medication immediately rather than delaying for routine timing or other confirmations. The patient being awake is not a requirement for a stat dose; it should be given promptly unless a safety concern overrides the order.

Stat means immediate administration. When a dose is labeled stat, it is intended to be given right away, not waited for the next scheduled dose. In practice you still confirm the five rights (right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time) and perform any necessary safety checks, but you administer the medication immediately rather than delaying for routine timing or other confirmations. The patient being awake is not a requirement for a stat dose; it should be given promptly unless a safety concern overrides the order.