The nurse is calculating the dosage of furosemide to administer. The ordered dose is 40 mg, and the available tablets are 20 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse give?

A. The medication should be given every four hours: Administration every four hours is indicated by the abbreviation Q4H, not STAT. This schedule reflects routine dosing rather than an urgent intervention.

B. The medication should be given after the next meal: Timing after meals is specified by the abbreviation PC (post cibum). STAT does not relate to meal timing or routine administration.

C. The medication should be given twice a day: Twice-daily administration is indicated by BID (bis in die). STAT orders override routine schedules and require immediate action.

D. The medication should be given immediately and only once: STAT indicates that the medication must be administered as soon as possible, typically for an acute or emergent condition. In this case, sublingual nitroglycerin is given immediately to relieve chest pain and prevent myocardial ischemia.

A. Calcium gluconate, because it prevents heparin-induced hypocalcemia: Heparin does not cause hypocalcemia. Calcium gluconate is used for conditions like hyperkalemia or calcium channel blocker toxicity, not for heparin administration.

B. Protamine sulfate, because it is the antidote used to reverse heparin in case of overdose or excessive bleeding: Protamine sulfate binds to heparin, neutralizing its anticoagulant effect. Having it available ensures rapid intervention if the patient develops heparin-induced bleeding or anticoagulation complications.

C. Atropine, because it counteracts bradycardia that may occur with heparin use: Heparin does not typically cause bradycardia. Atropine is used for symptomatic bradycardia, not as a standard precaution for anticoagulant therapy.

D. Vitamin K, because it reverses the effects of heparin if bleeding occurs: Vitamin K reverses the effects of warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, but it does not affect heparin activity. Using it would not correct heparin-induced anticoagulation.