A patient with cancer is to receive hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 1 mg SUBCUT q3h prn for severe pain. The available strength is 4 mg/mL. How many milligrams should be administered for one dose?
A) 0.2
B) 0.25
C) 0.45
D) 0.5

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient needs 1 mg of hydromorphone. The available strength is 4 mg/mL, meaning each mL contains 4 mg of hydromorphone. To find out how many mL should be administered for a 1 mg dose, divide the required dose (1 mg) by the concentration (4 mg/mL): 1 mg / 4 mg/mL = 0.25 mL. Since the question asks for milligrams to be administered and the calculation was done in mL based on the concentration, the answer directly corresponds to the required dose, which is 1 mg, but the calculation shows the volume to administer, not the milligrams to be administered, which was a misunderstanding in the explanation. The correct interpretation is that 0.25 mL contains the 1 mg dose needed, aligning with the concentration provided.

A Patient with Cancer Is to Receive Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 1