What is a drug that is prepared in advance for administration to a single patient called?

A drug that is prepared in advance for administration to a single patient is known as a unit dose. This term refers to a specific quantity of medication that is packaged and labeled for one individual dose to be given to a patient at a given time. The use of unit doses helps to minimize medication errors, streamline the administration process, and ensure optimal use of medications by reducing waste.

In the context of healthcare settings, unit dose systems promote efficiency and safety by allowing healthcare providers to dispense only the necessary amount of medication needed for each patient, typically packaged in individual, ready-to-administer doses. This is particularly useful in hospital settings where patients may need various medications at different times.

The other terms refer to different methods of medication usage. Bulk medication refers to larger quantities of medication that may be used across multiple patients rather than individualized doses. Floor stock implies a supply of medications kept on the nursing units for use as needed, rather than prepared in advance for specific patients. A prescription is an order from a healthcare provider for a patient to receive medication, but it doesn't imply that the medication is prepared for immediate administration; it could also mean that a patient is receiving medication on an outpatient basis.