In a veterinary prescription, what does the term STAT indicate?

• A. Immediately
• B. Later
• C. In two hours
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

STAT signals immediate action. It comes from Latin statim, meaning right away. In a veterinary prescription, a STAT order is meant to be filled and given immediately because the animal needs urgent treatment. This pushes the medication to be prioritized over routine, non-urgent orders and handled as soon as possible to avoid deterioration. The other timing terms imply delay or no administration at all—later and in two hours suggest waiting, and never means not to give the drug—so they don’t reflect the required urgency of a STAT order.