Interpreting medication orders

Interpreting medication ordersGROUP BTYPES OF MEDICATION ORDERS1. STAT ORDERIndicates that the medication is to be given immediately and only oneE.g., Demerol 100 mg IM stat2. SINGLE ORDER or ONE TIME ORDERMedications to be given once at a specified time E.g., Seconal 100 mg hs before surgery3. STANDING ORDERMay or may not have a termination date/ must be carried out indefinitelyE.g., Demerol 100 mg IM q4h x 5 days4. PRN ORDER or AS NEEDED ORDERPermits the nurse to give a medication when, in nurses judgement, the client requires it.e.g., Amphojel 15 mL prn

Exercise: interpret these order1. Meperidine 50mg, IM, q 3-4h PRNGive Meeridine 50mg intermuscularly every 3-4 hours as needed2. Prednisone 10 mg, po, TID x5 daysGive Prednisone 10mg by mouth three times a day for 5 days3. Nitrostat 0.4mg, SL, STAT chest discomfort repeat q 5min x3

Give Nitrostat 0.4mg sublingual for chest discomfort. may repeat every 5 min up to 3 times4. Tetracycline 500mg, po, q6hGive Tetracycline 500 mg by mouth every 6 hours5. Ancef 1 g, IV, q8hGive Ancef 1 gram, intravenously, every 8 hours