Question

The health care provider has prescribed naloxone STAT to a patient. Which statement describes the timing of this prescription?

1 The medication should be given as desired.
2 The medication should be given every day.
3 The medication should be given immediately.
4 The medication should be given whenever it is needed.

Answer 1

Naloxone STAT means the medication must be given immediately, as STAT indicates urgency in medical prescriptions. This rapid-acting opiate antagonist is essential for reversing opioid overdose effects, like respiratory depression, and is typically given via injection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The health care provider's prescription of naloxone STAT is an indication that the medication should be administered immediately. STAT is a term derived from the Latin word 'statim', meaning 'immediately' or 'at once'. It is commonly used in medical contexts to denote urgency. In the case of naloxone, a rapid-acting opiate antagonist, immediate administration is typically required to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, such as respiratory depression. This is a critical intervention that can save a patient's life by restoring normal breathing and consciousness until further medical care can be provided. Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opioids at the receptor sites and is typically administered via injection due to its quick onset of action.