The physician orders an injection of dexamethasone (Decadron) 6mg IM for a patient.
The available stock is dexamethasone 4mg/1ml in a 5ml multidose vial.
How many mLs of this medication will the nurse prepare?
75 mLs
5 mLs
6 mLs
15 mLs
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is Choice C.
Let’s go through the calculation step by step:
Step 1: Identify the order and the available medication. The order is for dexamethasone (Decadron) 6mg IM. The available stock is dexamethasone 4mg/1ml in a 5ml multidose vial.
Step 2: Determine the amount of medication needed to fulfill the order. This is done by dividing the ordered amount by the concentration of the available medication.
So, we have:
Step 2 Calculation=Concentration of Available MedicationOrdered Amount Substituting the given values: Step 2 Calculation=4 mg/mL6 mg Step 3: Perform the calculation.
Step 3 Calculation=1.5 mL
So, the nurse will prepare 1.5 mL of this medication.
Now, let’s discuss the rationales for each choice:
Choice A rationale:
75 mLs is not the correct amount. This would be a significantly larger dose than ordered, which could lead to an overdose.
Choice B rationale:
5 mLs is not the correct amount. This would also be a larger dose than ordered, which could lead to an overdose.
Choice C rationale:
1.5 mLs is the correct amount. This is calculated by dividing the ordered dose (6 mg) by the concentration of the available medication (4 mg/mL).
Choice D rationale:
15 mLs is not the correct amount. This would be a significantly larger dose than ordered, which could lead to an overdose.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
This choice suggests that the nurse is advising the patient to take the medication first and then check with the doctor. This is not a safe practice. The nurse should always verify any doubts or concerns before administering the medication. Administering an unfamiliar medication can lead to adverse effects if it turns out to be incorrect.
Choice B rationale:
This choice implies that if a medication is listed on the medication administration record (MAR), it must be correct. However, errors can occur when transcribing medication orders onto the MAR. Therefore, it’s crucial for the nurse to verify any concerns or doubts before administering the medication.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct choice. If a patient expresses concern about a medication, the nurse should always check the order before administering it. This is a fundamental aspect of patient safety and medication administration. It ensures that the right patient receives the right medication at the right dose via the right route at the right time.
Choice D rationale:
This choice suggests that because the medication is listed on the medication sheet, the patient should take it. However, this does not address the patient’s concern about the unfamiliar medication. It’s important for the nurse to validate the patient’s concern and verify the medication order before administration.
Correct Answer is C
No explanation
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