Russell enters the clinic for his medication injection. The order states Fluphenazine decanoate 87.5 mg IM every 3 weeks. The vial is labeled Fluphenazine decanoate 25 mg/ml. How many mL(s) will you administer for this dose?

He has been prescribed Fluphenazine decanoate 87.5 mg intramuscularly every 3 weeks to treat his schizophrenia. The nurse checks the medication order and the vial label. The vial contains Fluphenazine decanoate 25 mg per milliliter. To calculate the amount of medication to administer, the nurse uses the formula:

dose ordered / dose available = mL to administer

Substituting the values, the nurse gets:

87.5 mg / 25 mg/ml = 3.5 ml

Therefore, the nurse will administer 3.5 milliliters of Fluphenazine decanoate for this dose.

Choice A Reason:

This response is dismissive and invalidates the son's feelings of guilt. It does not acknowledge or address his emotional distress. Providing false reassurance and shifting focus to work is not therapeutic.

Choice B Reason:

This response reflects therapeutic communication. It validates the son’s feelings by acknowledging his guilt and encourages him to express his emotions. Reflective listening allows the nurse to build trust and support the son in processing his emotions.

Choice C Reason:

Asking "Why" can feel accusatory or judgmental, making the son defensive. While the statement attempts to provide reassurance, it fails to address his emotional state and may shut down further communication.

Choice D Reason:

Although this response provides some reassurance and normalization, it minimizes the son's emotions by focusing on generalizations. It lacks the reflective quality necessary for therapeutic communication in this situation.