6-year-old child.

Vomited 3 times in the past 24 hr. Irritable behavior for the past 24 hr. The respiratory infection started 3 days ago.

Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs are positive.

Vital Signs.

Respiratory rate 28/min.

Pulse rate 120/min.

BP 108/64 mm Hg. Pain level of 6 on a scale from 0 to 10. Medication Administration Record.

Vancomycin 300 mg IV q 6 hr following blood cultures.

Acetaminophen 240 mg PO q 6 hr PRN fever.

A nurse is planning care for a child during admission to the facility.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Step 1: Convert the dopamine hydrochloride dose from mcg to mg. We know that 1 mg = 1000 mcg. So, 4 mcg = 0.004 mg.

Step 2: Calculate the total amount of dopamine hydrochloride the client needs per minute. We know that the client weighs 80 kg and the dose is 0.004 mg/kg/min. So, 0.004 mg/kg/min × 80 kg = 0.32 mg/min.

Step 3: Convert the total amount of dopamine hydrochloride the client needs per minute to an hourly rate. We know that 1 hour = 60 minutes. So, 0.32 mg/min × 60 min/hr = 19.2 mg/hr.

Step 4: Calculate the volume of the solution that contains 19.2 mg of dopamine hydrochloride. We know that the solution contains 800 mg in 250 mL. So, (19.2 mg ÷ 800 mg) × 250 mL = 6 mL.

Therefore, the nurse should set the IV infusion to deliver 6 mL/hr (rounded to the nearest whole number).

Choice A rationale:

An angiocatheter is not appropriate for accessing an implanted venous access port. Angiocatheters are large-bore catheters designed for rapid fluid administration and are typically used for peripheral venous access. They are not suitable for accessing the small, specialized ports used for central venous access.

Choice B rationale:

A 25-gauge needle is too small for accessing an implanted venous access port. While smaller gauge needles are suitable for delicate procedures and patients with fragile veins, they might not provide adequate flow for certain therapies or blood draws. Accessing a port with a needle that is too small can lead to increased pressure, potentially damaging the port or causing discomfort to the patient.

Choice C rationale:

A butterfly needle is also not the best choice for accessing an implanted venous access port. Butterfly needles, also known as winged infusion sets, are commonly used for short-term peripheral venous access. They are not designed for accessing implanted ports, which require a noncoring needle for precise and safe access without damaging the port membrane.

Choice D rationale:

(Correct Choice) A noncoring needle, also known as a Huber needle, is the correct choice for accessing an implanted venous access port. Noncoring needles have a specially designed tip that creates a smaller puncture hole, reducing damage to the port membrane and minimizing patient discomfort. They are specifically designed for accessing ports and are the standard choice for this procedure.