A nurse is preparing to administer albuterol syrup 1.6 mg PO tid. Available is albuterol 2 mg/5mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Formula:

Volume to administer (mL) = (Desired dose (mEq) / Available concentration (mEq/mL))

Desired dose = (40 mEq / 2 doses)

=20mEq

Available concentration = 6.7 mEq / 5 mL

Calculate the concentration per mL:

6.7 mEq / 5 mL = 1.34 mEq/mL

Volume to administer = 20 mEq / 1.34 mEq/mL

= 14.925... mL

Round to the nearest whole number:

Volume to administer = 15 mL

A. Advocacy: Advocacy involves representing the interests and needs of individual patients or groups within the healthcare system. While the nurse's actions may indirectly benefit patients by improving care standards, the focus here is on systemic changes rather than individual patient representation. Advocacy often involves lobbying for resources, policy changes, or addressing ethical concerns on behalf of patients, which is not the primary goal of the actions taken in this scenario.
B. Quality improvement: This term best describes the nurse's actions as it focuses on enhancing healthcare practices and patient outcomes through systematic efforts. By identifying the increase in pressure injuries and collaborating with management to implement a new policy, the nurse is actively participating in a quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing risks and improving care protocols in the ICU. This approach reflects a commitment to continuous improvement in patient safety and care standards, aligning with best practices in healthcare.
C. Case Management: Case management primarily involves coordinating care for individual patients, ensuring they receive appropriate services, and managing their healthcare journey. While the nurse may address pressure injuries at the unit level, the actions taken are broader and not confined to individual patient care. Case management emphasizes individualized care plans and resource allocation rather than addressing systemic issues affecting a group of patients in the ICU.
D. Collaboration: Collaboration refers to working together with others, such as colleagues and management, to achieve common goals in patient care. While the nurse did collaborate with the manager to develop and implement the new policy, collaboration alone does not capture the proactive approach taken to address the increase in pressure injuries. It emphasizes teamwork but lacks the focus on systematic quality enhancement that characterizes quality improvement efforts, which aim to implement lasting changes in practices and outcomes.