A child with an Escherichia coli urinary tract infection is receiving a secondary infusion of gentamicin 60 mg every 8 hours IV, which is to be infused over 30 minutes.
The medication is delivered by the pharmacy diluted in a 50 ml bag of saline.
What should be the infusion pump’s regulation in mL/hour? (Provide the numeric value only.)
The Correct Answer is ["100"]
Step 1: The child is receiving gentamicin 60 mg every 8 hours IV, which is to be infused over 30 minutes. The medication is delivered by the pharmacy diluted in a 50 ml bag of saline.
Step 2: We need to find the infusion pump’s regulation in mL/hour.
Step 3: Since the medication is to be infused over 30 minutes, we convert this to hours by dividing by 60. So, 30 minutes is 0.5 hours.
Step 4: The rate of infusion is then the total volume (50 mL) divided by the time in hours (0.5 hours).
Step 5: So, the infusion pump’s regulation is (50 mL ÷ 0.5 hours) = 100 mL/hour.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
When a client’s blood pressure cannot be measured due to casts on both arms and the client’s position, the most appropriate action for the nurse is to document why the blood pressure cannot be accurately measured at the present time. This is because accurate measurement of blood pressure is crucial for monitoring the client’s health status and making appropriate clinical decisions. If the blood pressure cannot be measured accurately, it is important to document this fact along with the reasons why, so that other healthcare professionals are aware of the situation and can take appropriate action.
Choice B rationale
Advising the UAP to document the last blood pressure obtained on the client’s graphic sheet is not the most appropriate action in this situation. While it might provide some information about the client’s previous blood pressure readings, it does not address the current inability to measure the blood pressure. Furthermore, it could potentially lead to confusion or misinterpretation of the client’s current health status.
Choice C rationale
Demonstrating how to palpate the popliteal pulse with the client supine and the knee flexed is not the most appropriate action in this situation. While palpating the popliteal pulse can provide some information about the client’s circulatory status, it does not provide a measure of blood pressure. Furthermore, this action might not be feasible or appropriate depending on the client’s condition and the presence of casts on both arms.
Choice D rationale
Estimating the blood pressure by assessing the pulse volume of the client’s radial pulses is not the most appropriate action in this situation. While pulse volume can provide some information about the client’s circulatory status, it does not provide a measure of blood pressure. Furthermore, this method of estimating blood pressure is not as accurate or reliable as direct measurement.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A potassium level of 4.4 mEq/L (4.4 mmol/L) is within the normal range. Potassium is a critical electrolyte in the body, playing key roles in cellular metabolism, protein synthesis, and electrical action potential regulation across cell membranes. Normal potassium levels typically range from 3.5 to 5.1 mmol/L1. Therefore, a potassium level of 4.4 mEq/L indicates that the patient’s potassium level is within the normal range, which is a safe condition for the administration of vancomycin.
Choice B rationale
The use of antibiotics for prophylaxis, or prevention, is a common practice in healthcare, particularly in surgical procedures such as pacemaker insertion. This is done to prevent potential infections that could occur during or after the procedure. Vancomycin is a type of antibiotic that is often used for prophylaxis against infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)3. Therefore, if the antibiotic is being used for prophylaxis, it would be safe to administer vancomycin.
Choice C rationale
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 17 mg/dL (6.07 mmol/L) is within the normal range. The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, which can provide important information about kidney function. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that is created in the liver when protein is metabolized. It is then transported through the blood to the kidneys, which filter out most of the urea nitrogen, leaving a small amount in the blood. Normal BUN levels typically range from 6 to 20 mg/dL4. Therefore, a BUN level of 17 mg/dL indicates that the patient’s kidney function is within the normal range, which is a safe condition for the administration of vancomycin.
Choice E rationale
The absence of known allergies in a patient is a crucial factor in determining the safety of administering any medication, including vancomycin. Allergic reactions to medications can range from mild symptoms such as rash and itching to severe and life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis. Therefore, if a patient has no known allergies, it would be safe to administer vancomycin.
Choice D rationale
While it’s true that the dosage of the antibiotic should be within the safe range, the specific dosage of vancomycin for the patient isn’t provided in the question. Therefore, we cannot definitively say that this condition is met based on the information given.
Choice F rationale
Although vancomycin can be administered via a peripheral IV in a large vein, it’s important to note that vancomycin has a low pH and may cause venous irritation and tissue damage in cases of extravasation. Therefore, while it’s possible to administer vancomycin this way, it’s not necessarily an indicator of safety.
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