A child with peripheral edema who weighs 44 pounds receives a prescription for furosemide 2 mg/kg intravenously every 12 hours. The medication is available at 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only)

Step 1 is to convert the child’s weight from pounds to kilograms.

44 pounds ÷ 2.2 = 20 kilograms.

Result at each step = 20 kilograms.

Step 2 is to calculate the total dosage of furosemide in milligrams.

2 mg × 20 kg = 40 mg.

Result at each step = 40 mg.

Step 3 is to determine the volume of medication to administer in milliliters.

40 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 4 mL.

Result at each step = 4 mL.

The nurse should administer 4 mL.

Choice A reason: Notifying the healthcare provider is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should prioritize interventions that address the client's immediate needs, such as oxygenation and circulation.

Choice B reason: Preparing a continuous heparin infusion per protocol is an appropriate action for preventing further clot formation and reducing the risk of recurrent pulmonary embolism, but it is not the first action. The nurse should first stabilize the client's condition before administering anticoagulant therapy.

Choice D reason: Bringing the emergency crash cart to the bedside is a prudent action, but not the first one. The nurse should prepare for possible cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of cardiac arrest, but should first attempt to prevent it by providing oxygen and other supportive measures.