A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin 2 mg/kg IM to a client who has pelvic inflammatory disease and weighs 132 lb. Available is gentamicin injection 40 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
The Correct Answer is ["3"]
Use the following formula to calculate the amount of gentamicin to administer:
Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL)
First, I need to convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms. One pound is equal to 0.4536 kilograms. Therefore, 132 lb is equal to 132 x 0.4536 = 59.8752 kg.
Next, I need to multiply the client's weight by the prescribed dose of gentamicin per kilogram. The prescribed dose is 2 mg/kg, so the total dose is 2 x 59.8752 = 119.7504 mg.
Finally, I need to divide the total dose by the concentration of gentamicin in the injection. The concentration is 40 mg/mL, so the volume is 119.7504 / 40 = 2.99376 mL.
To round the answer to the nearest whole number, I need to look at the first decimal place. If it is 5 or more, I round up; if it is less than 5, I round down. In this case, the first decimal place is 9, which is more than 5, so I round up. Therefore, the final answer is 3 mL.
The nurse should administer 3 mL of gentamicin injection to the client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This is the finding that the nurse should report to the provider following this medication. Butorphanol is an opioid analgesic that can cause respiratory depression as a serious side effect¹. A normal respiratory rate for an adult is 12 to 20 breaths per minute². A respiratory rate of 10/min is below the normal range and could indicate inadequate ventilation and oxygenation. The nurse should monitor the client's oxygen saturation, administer oxygen if needed, and notify the provider of this finding.
The other options are not correct because they are not signs of adverse effects from butorphanol. Let me
explain why:
a) Urinary Output 1 20 mL in 2 hr
This is a normal urinary output for an adult. A normal urinary output is 0.5 to 1 mL/kg/hr³. Assuming an average weight of 70 kg, this would be 35 to 70 mL/hr, or 70 to 140 mL in 2 hr. Therefore, a urinary output of 120 mL in 2 hr is within the normal range and does not need to be reported.
c) Moderate fetal heart rate variability
This is a reassuring sign of fetal well-being. Fetal heart rate variability is the amount of fluctuation in the fetal heart rate from the baseline. Moderate variability is defined as a fluctuation of 6 to 25 beats per minute (bpm) and indicates that the fetus is responsive and has adequate oxygenation⁴. Moderate variability does not need to be reported.
d) Blood pressure 136/88 mm Hg
This is a slightly elevated blood pressure, but not a sign of an adverse effect from butorphanol. Butorphanol does not cause significant changes in blood pressure¹. A normal blood pressure for an adult is less than 120/80 mm Hg⁵. A blood pressure of 136/88 mm Hg is considered elevated, but not hypertensive. The nurse should monitor the client's blood pressure and check for other signs of preeclampsia, such as proteinuria, headache, or visual changes. However, this finding does not need to be reported immediately.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Phototherapy is a treatment that uses light to lower the level of bilirubin in the blood of newborns who have jaundice. Jaundice is a condition that causes yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin, a waste product that is normally removed by the liver. Phototherapy helps the body break down and eliminate bilirubin through urine and stool¹.
Phototherapy can be done at home or in the hospital, depending on the severity of jaundice and the type of light used. The most common types of light are fluorescent lamps, halogen lamps, or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The light can be delivered through overhead units, fiber-optic blankets, or fiber-optic pads. The light should cover as much of the newborn's skin as possible, except for the eyes and genitals¹².
The nurse should follow certain guidelines when caring for a newborn who is receiving phototherapy, such
as:
- Monitor the newborn's temperature, hydration, weight, and urine and stool output regularly
- Protect the newborn's eyes with eye patches or goggles to prevent eye damage
- Turn the newborn every 2 to 4 hours to expose different parts of the body to the light
- Feed the newborn frequently to prevent dehydration and promote bilirubin excretion
- Check the newborn's skin color and bilirubin level periodically to evaluate the effectiveness of
phototherapy
- Provide emotional support and education to the parents about jaundice and phototherapy
One of the important guidelines is to avoid using lotion or ointment on the newborn's skin during phototherapy. This is because lotion or ointment can block the light from reaching the skin and reduce the effectiveness of phototherapy. Lotion or ointment can also cause skin irritation, rash, or burns if they react with the light. The newborn's skin should be clean and dry before phototherapy¹²³.
The other options are not actions that the nurse should include in the plan of care:
- a) Keep the newborn supine throughout treatment. This is not correct because keeping the newborn in one position can limit the exposure of different parts of the body to the light and reduce the effectiveness of phototherapy. The nurse should turn the newborn every 2 to 4 hours to expose different parts of the body to the light¹².
- b) Dress the newborn in lightweight clothing. This is not correct because dressing the newborn in clothing can block the light from reaching the skin and reduce the effectiveness of phototherapy. The newborn should be undressed except for a diaper during phototherapy¹².
- c) Measure the newborn's temperature every 8 hours. This is not correct because measuring the newborn's temperature every 8 hours may not be frequent enough to detect any changes in temperature that may occur during phototherapy. Phototherapy can cause overheating or hypothermia in newborns, depending on the type and intensity of light used. The nurse should monitor the newborn's temperature more often, such as every 2 to 4 hours, and adjust the room temperature or use blankets as needed¹².

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
