Which numeric form is appropriate, according to the Joint Commission?
3.0
0.30
0.03
0.3
Calculate all drug dosages by body surface area.
The Correct Answer is D
This numeric form is appropriate, according to the Joint Commission, because it does not use a trailing zero after a decimal point, which is a common cause of medication errors and should be avoided. A trailing zero may be misread or misinterpreted as a larger dose or omited altogether, resulting in a 10-fold overdose or underdose, respectively. For example, when prescriptions have been writen for "Coumadin 1.0 mg," patients have received 10 mg in error¹². Therefore, the Joint Commission requires that a trailing zero may be used only when required to demonstrate the level of precision of the value being reported, such as for laboratory results, imaging studies that report the size of lesions, or catheter/tube sizes. It may not be used in medication orders or other medication-related documentation.
The other options are not appropriate numeric forms because:
a) 3.0 uses a trailing zero after a decimal point, which poses a risk of confusion or error.
b) 0.30 uses a trailing zero after a decimal point, which poses a risk of confusion or error.
c) 0.03 is not equivalent to 0.3, as it is 10 times smaller.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The IV infusion will be completed at 13:20.
This answer is correct because it is based on a simple division and addition calculation. The nurse can divide the total volume of the infusion by the infusion rate to get the duration of the infusion in hours, as follows:
1000 mL / 250 mL/hr = 4 hr
Therefore, the infusion will take 4 hours to complete. The nurse can add 4 hours to the start time of the infusion to get the end time, as follows:
09:20 + 4:00 = 13:20
Therefore, the IV infusion will be completed at 13:20.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
To find the milliliters to administer, you need to use the formula for dosage calculation:
Volume (mL) = Dose ordered (mg) / Dose available (mg) x Volume available (mL)
Since the dose ordered is 275 mg, the dose available is 500 mg, and the volume available is 2 mL, plug in these values into the formula:
Volume (mL) = 275 mg / 500 mg x 2 mL
Simplify and solve for the volume:
Volume (mL) = 1.1 mL
Therefore, the nurse should administer **1.1 mL** of Primaxin to the patient.
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