A nurse is preparing to administer 40 mg of furosemide IV. Available is furosemide 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

Choice A reason: Airborne

Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted through tiny airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air and be inhaled by others. Examples of diseases requiring airborne precautions include tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. These diseases can spread over long distances and through ventilation systems. Pertussis, however, is not transmitted via airborne particles but rather through larger respiratory droplets.

Choice B reason: Contact

Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment. This includes infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). While contact precautions are important for preventing the spread of certain infections, pertussis is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, making droplet precautions more appropriate.

Choice C reason: Protective

Protective precautions, also known as reverse isolation, are used to protect immunocompromised patients from potential infections. This type of precaution is not intended to prevent the spread of infections from the patient to others but rather to protect the patient from external sources of infection. Examples include patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with severe immunodeficiency. Pertussis does not require protective precautions as it is not about protecting the patient from others.

Choice D reason: Droplet

Droplet precautions are the appropriate transmission-based precautions for pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can travel short distances and can infect others who are in close proximity. Droplet precautions include wearing a mask when within 3 feet of the patient, placing the patient in a private room if possible, and ensuring that the patient wears a mask if they need to be transported.

Step 1: Identify the prescribed dose.

• The prescribed dose is 30 mg.
• Result: 30 mg.

Step 2: Identify the strength of the available tablets.

• The available tablets are 10 mg each.
• Result: 10 mg/tablet.

Step 3: Calculate the number of tablets to administer.

• Number of tablets = (Prescribed dose in mg) ÷ (Strength of available tablets in mg/tablet).
• Number of tablets = 30 mg ÷ 10 mg/tablet.
• Number of tablets = 3 tablets.
• = 3 tablets.

So, the nurse should administer 3 tablets of fluoxetine per dose.