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Dosage Calculations: Practice Question #4
Welcome back to our series on dosage calculations! In this post, we’ll tackle another practice question to solidify your understanding of this essential nursing skill.
The Scenario
A physician orders 250 mg of a medication to be administered intravenously (IV) every 6 hours. The medication is available in a 500 mg/10 mL vial. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
Step-by-Step Solution
- Identify the desired dose: The physician ordered 250 mg.
- Identify the available dose: The medication is available in a 500 mg/10 mL vial.
- Set up a proportion: We can use a proportion to solve for the unknown volume (x):
- Cross-multiply: 500x = 2500
- Solve for x: x = 2500 / 500 = 5 mL
Answer
The nurse should administer 5 mL per dose.
Key Points to Remember
- Always double-check your calculations and ensure you are using the correct units.
- Be mindful of the available medication concentration.
- Practice dosage calculations regularly to maintain proficiency.
Additional Practice Questions
If you’re feeling confident, try these additional practice questions:
- A doctor orders 100 mg of a medication to be given orally every 8 hours. The medication is available in a 250 mg/5 mL bottle. How many mL should the patient receive per dose?
- A patient needs 1000 units of heparin to be administered subcutaneously. The heparin vial contains 10,000 units/mL. How many mL should the nurse draw up?
Remember, accurate dosage calculations are crucial in patient care. By practicing regularly and understanding the steps involved, you can ensure safe and effective medication administration.