Question 1

The physician ordered 100 mg of Cleocin (clindamycin) IM q6h. The drug is available in a vial labeled 300 mg/2 mL. Using a 1-mL syringe and rounding off to the nearest tenth, how many milliliters of Cleocin would the nurse give for each dose? Use the formula method to calculate the dosage.
A) 0.4
B) 0.5
C) 0.6
D) 0.7

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Formula Method: 100 mg/300 mg * 2 mL = 200/300 = 0.66 mL. To round to the nearest tenth, drop the final number. If that number is 5 or higher, drop it and increase the adjacent number by 1. If the final number is less than 5, then drop that number. Therefore, for 0.66, drop (6) and change 0.6 to 0.7. Draw up 0.7 mL in the 1-mL syringe.

Question 2

The physician ordered 50 mg of gentamicin IM three times daily. The drug is available in a vial labeled 40 mg/mL. Using a 3-mL syringe and rounding off to the nearest tenth, how many milliliters of gentamicin would the nurse give for each dose? Use proportion (ratios) to calculate the dosage.
A) 1.1
B) 1.2
C) 1.3
D) 1.5

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Proportion (Ratios): 40 mg : 1 mL :: 50 mg : x mL; 40x = 50/40 = 5/4 = 1.25 mL. To round to the nearest tenth, drop the final number. If that number is 5 or higher, drop it and increase the adjacent number by 1. If the final number is less than 5, then drop that number. Therefore, for 1.25, drop (5) and change 1.2 to 1.3. Draw up 1.3 mL in the 3-mL syringe.

Question 3

The patient/client is to receive Sandostatin 0.05 mg subcutaneously daily. The medication is available as Sandostatin 100 mcg/1 mL. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer the medication? Use proportion (fractions) to calculate the dosage.
A) 3 mL
B) Insulin U-50
C) Insulin U-100
D) 1-mL precision

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, an equivalent is necessary (1 mg = 1000 mcg) to change 0.05 mg to 50 mcg (0.05 mg *1000 = 50 mcg). Estimate the amount to give. Proportion (Fractions): 1 mL/100 mcg * x mL/50 mcg; 100x = 50/100 = 11ee3767_58c1_82e8_b9a5_d56b2ee45586_TBLW1029_11 = 0.5 mL. The correct syringe to select for this injection is the 1 mL. Draw up 0.5 mL. The 3-mL syringe is used for a maximum volume of 3 mL of medication. Insulin syringes are used only for insulin administration, and the markings are in units. (Note: The 1-mL syringe is also called a precision and a tuberculin syringe. It is marked in milliliters to the nearest hundredth and in minims to the nearest half-minim.)

Question 4

The patient/client is to receive Valium (diazepam) 8 mg IM every 4 hours prn for agitation. The medication is available as Valium (diazepam) 5 mg/mL. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer the medication? Use dimensional analysis to calculate the dosage.
A) 3 mL
B) Insulin U-50
C) Insulin U-100
D) 1-mL precision

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Dimensional Analysis: 1 mL/5 mg * 8 mg = 1 mL * 8/5 = 8/5 = 1.6 mL. The correct syringe to select for this injection is a 3 mL. The markings are to the nearest tenth. The 1-mL syringe is used for a maximum volume of 1 mL of medication. Insulin syringes are used only for insulin administration. The markings are in units.

Question 5

The physician ordered heparin sodium 3000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours. The medication is available as 5000 units/mL. Select the syringe to use and the amount of heparin to give. Use the formula method to calculate the dosage.
A) 0.3 mL; 1-mL syringe
B) 0.6 mL; 1-mL syringe
C) 0.3 mL; Insulin U-50
D) 0.6 mL; Insulin U-100

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 3000 units/5000 units F1F1F1S1?F1F1F10 1 mL = 3/5 = 0.6 mL. The 1-mL syringe is used for a maximum volume of 1 mL of medication. Although heparin is ordered in units, an insulin syringe is not used because insulin syringes are used only for insulin administration.

Question 6

The physician ordered 1.5 mg of subcutaneous epinephrine stat. The medication is available in an ampule labeled 1:1000. How many milliliters should the nurse give?
A) 0.5
B) 1
C) 1.5
D) 2

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. When a medication is supplied as a ratio, the ratio indicates the strength of the drug as grams per milliliters. Therefore, a ratio of 1:1000 means 1 g/1000 mL. Since 1 g is also equivalent to 1000 mg, you can interpret the solution as 1000 mg/1000 mL. This question should be solved using a supply of 1000 mg/1000 mL. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 1.5 mg/1000 mg * 1000 mL = 1500/1000 = 3/2 = 1.5 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 1000 mL : 1000 mg :: x : 1.5 mg; 1000x = 1500/1000 = 3/2 = 1.5 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1000 mL/1000 mg * x/1.5 mg; 1000x = 1500/1000 = 3/2 = 1.5 mL. Use a conversion factor for dimensional analysis. Dimensional Analysis: 1000 mL/1 g * 1.5 mg * 1 g/1000 mg = 1000 mL * 1.5 *1/1000 = 1500/1000 = 3/2 = 1.5 mL.

Question 7

The physician ordered 10 mg of subcutaneous lidocaine. The medication is available in a multidose vial labeled lidocaine 2%. How many milliliters should the nurse prepare?
A) 0.5
B) 1
C) 1.5
D) 2

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. When a medication label states the strength of a drug as a percent, the percent means "parts per hundred." Therefore, lidocaine 2% means 2 g of lidocaine in 100 mL. Since 1 g is also equivalent to 1000 mg, you can interpret the solution as 2000 mg in 100 mL. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 10 mg/2000 mg * 100 mL = 1000/2000 = 0.5 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 100 mL : 2000 mg :: x : 10 mg; 2000x = 1000/2000 = 0.5 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 100 mL/2000 mg * x/10 mg; 2000x = 1000/2000 = 0.5 mL. Use a conversion factor for dimensional analysis. Dimensional Analysis: 100 mL/2 g * 10 mg * 1 g/1000 mg = 100 mL * 10 * 1/2 * 1000 = 1000/2000 = 0.5 mL.

Question 8

The patient/client is to receive morphine sulfate 4 mg IV stat. The medication is available as morphine sulfate 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters of medication would the patient/client receive?
A) 0.04
B) 0.4
C) 0.45
D) 0.5

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 4 mg/10 mg* 1 mL = 4/10 = 0.4 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 1 mL : 10 mg :: x mL : 4 mg; 10x = 4/10 = 0.4 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1 mL/10 mg = x/4 mg; 10x = 4/10 = 0.4 mL. Dimensional Analysis: 1 mL/10 mg * 4 mg = 4/10 = 0.4 mL.

Question 9

The patient/client is to receive Dilantin (phenytoin sodium) 300 mg IV daily. The medication is available as Dilantin (phenytoin sodium) 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters of medication would the patient/client receive?
A) 5.5
B) 6
C) 6.5
D) 7

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 300 mg/250 mg * 5 mL = 1500/250 = 6 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 5 mL : 250 mg :: x mL : 300 mg; 250x = 1500/250 = 6 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 5 mL/250 mg = x mL/300 mg; 250x = 1500/250 = 6 mL. Dimensional Analysis: 5 mL/250 mg*300 mg = 1500/250 = 6 mL.

Question 10

The patient/client is to receive Tigan (trimethobenzamide hydrochloride) 150 mg IM stat. The medication is available as Tigan (trimethobenzamide hydrochloride) 100 mg/mL. How many milliliters of medication would the patient/client receive?
A) 0.5
B) 1
C) 1.5
D) 2

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 150 mg/100 mg * 1 mL = 150/100 = 1.5 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 1 mL : 100 mg :: x mL : 150 mg; 100x = 150/100 = 1.5 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1 mL/100 mg = x/150 mg; 100x = 150/100 = 1.5 mL. Dimensional Analysis: 1 mL/100 mg *150 mg = 1 mL * 150/100 = 1.5 mL.

Question 11

The patient/client is to receive Nembutal sodium (pentobarbital sodium) 120 mg IM at bedtime prn. The medication is available as Nembutal sodium (pentobarbital sodium) 50 mg/mL. How many milliliters of medication would the patient/client receive?
A) 1.2
B) 1.4
C) 2.4
D) 2.8

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 120 mg/50 mg *1 mL = 120/50 = 2.4 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 1 mL : 50 mg :: x mL : 120 mg; 50x = 120/50 = 2.4 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1 mL/50 mg = x mL/120 mg; 50x =120/50 = 2.4 mL. Dimensional Analysis: 1 mL/50 mg * 120 mg = 1 mL * 120/50 = 2.4 mL.

Question 12

The patient/client is to receive AquaMEPHYTON (phytonadione) 5 mg subcutaneously every day for 3 days. The medication is available as AquaMEPHYTON (phytonadione) 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse give each day?
A) 0.25
B) 0.5
C) 0.75
D) 1

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 5 mg/10 mg * 1 mL = 5/10 = 0.5 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 1 mL : 10 mg :: x mL : 5 mg; 10x = 5/10 = 0.5 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1 mL/10 mg = x mL/5 mg; 10x = 5/10 = 0.5 mL. Dimensional Analysis: 1 mL/10 mg * 5 mg = 5/10 = 0.5 mL.

Question 13

The patient/client is to receive Compazine (prochlorperazine) 10 mg IM every 4 hours prn for nausea and vomiting. The medication is available as Compazine (prochlorperazine) 5 mg/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A) 0.5
B) 1
C) 1.5
D) 2

Accepted Answer

When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 10 mg/5 mg * 1 mL = 10/5 = 2 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 1 mL : 5 mg :: x mL : 10 mg; 5x = 10/5 = 2 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1 mL/5 mg = x mL/10 mg; 5x = 10/5 = 2 mL. Dimensional Analysis: 1 mL/5 mg *10 mg = 1 mL * 10/5 = 10/5 = 2 mL.

Question 14

The directions for reconstitution of ampicillin sodium for injection are on the drug label. Directions read: "For IM use, add 3.5 mL sterile water for injection. Resulting solution contains 250 mg ampicillin sodium per mL. The vial contains ampicillin sodium equivalent to 1 gram. Usual adult dosage of ampicillin is 250 mg-500 mg IM every 6 hours." How much diluent is added to the vial to prepare the medication for IM use?
A) 1 mL
B) 3.5 mL
C) 250 mg/mL
D) 500 mg/mL

Accepted Answer

Refer to the directions on the label. The label reads, "Add 3.5 mL sterile water for injection. The resulting solution contains 250 mg/mL." The usual adult dosage is 250 mg to 500 mg.

Question 15

The directions for reconstitution of oxacillin sodium for injection are on the drug label. Directions read: "For IM use, add 5.7 mL sterile water for injection. Resulting solution contains 250 mg oxacillin sodium per 1.5 mL. The vial contains oxacillin sodium equivalent to 1 gram. Usual adult dosage of oxacillin sodium is 250 mg-500 mg IM every 4 to 6 hours." What is the final concentration of the prepared oxacillin solution for IM administration?
A) 50 mg/1.5 mL
B) 125 mg/5.7 mL
C) 250 mg/1.5 mL
D) 500 mg/1.5 mL

Accepted Answer

Refer to the directions on the label. The label reads, "Add 5.7 mL sterile water for injection. The resulting solution contains 250 mg/1.5 mL." The usual adult dosage is 250 mg to 500 mg.

Question 16

The directions for reconstitution of oxacillin sodium for injection are on the drug label. Directions read: "For IM use, add 5.7 mL sterile water for injection. Resulting solution contains 250 mg oxacillin sodium per 1.5 mL. The vial contains oxacillin sodium equivalent to 1 gram. Usual adult dosage of oxacillin sodium is 250 mg-500 mg IM every 4 to 6 hours." The patient/client is to receive 400 mg IM every 6 hours. How many milliliters would the nurse administer?
A) 1.7
B) 2.1
C) 2.4
D) 5.7

Accepted Answer

Refer to the directions on the label, which reads, "Add 5.7 mL of sterile water for injection. The resulting solution contains 250 mg/1.5 mL." When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 400 mg/250 mg *1.5 mL = 600/250 = 2.4 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 1.5 mL : 250 mg :: x mL : 400 mg; 250x = 600 mg/250 mg = 2.4 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1.5 mL/250 mg = x mL/400 mg; 250x = 600 mg/250 mg = 2.4 mL. Dimensional Analysis: 1.5 mL/250 mg * 400 mg = 1.5 mL * 400/250 = 600 mg/250 mg = 2.4 mL.

Question 17

The directions for reconstitution of mezlocillin IV injection read: "For IV use, reconstitute with 30 mL sterile water for injection. Each 30 mL of reconstituted solution will contain 3 grams of mezlocillin." The patient/client is to receive 1.5 g of mezlocillin IV every 6 hours. How many milliliters would the nurse administer?
A) 1.5
B) 3
C) 15
D) 30

Accepted Answer

Refer to directions on the label. The label reads, "Add 30 mL sterile water for injection. The resulting solution will contain 3 grams of mezlocillin." When solving any problem, first check that the order and the supply are in the same weight measure. For this problem, no equivalent is necessary. Estimate the amount to give. Formula Method: 1.5 g/3 g *30 mL = 45/3 = 15 mL. Proportion (Ratios): 30 mL : 3 g :: x mL : 1.5 g; 3x = 45/3 = 15 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 30 mL/3 g * x mL/1/5 g; 3x = 45/3 = 15 mL. Dimensional Analysis: 30 mL/3 g * 1.5 g = 30 mL * 1.5/3 = 45/3 = 1.5 mL.

Question 18

The directions for reconstitution of a 5,000,000 unit vial of Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium) reads: "For IM reconstitution, add sterile water for injection using these mL diluent units, per mL of solution:
18 mL/250,000
8 mL/500,000
3 mL/1,000,000"
The patient/client is to receive Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium) 500,000 units IM now. What would be the best amount of diluent to add to the powder for reconstitution for IM use?
A) 3
B) 8
C) 18
D) 23

Accepted Answer

Adding 8 mL results in a dilution of 500,000 units per milliliter.

Question 19

The patient/client is to receive Humulin R 15 units subcutaneously daily at 7:30 am. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer the medication?
A) 3 mL
B) Insulin 50 unit
C) Insulin 100 unit
D) 1-mL precision

Accepted Answer

Insulin syringes, which are marked in units, are used only for insulin. The low-dose 50-unit syringe should be used for injections of 50 units or less. The U-100 syringe is used for injections of 51 to 100 units. Use a U-50 syringe for this problem because the patient/client is receiving 15 units of insulin.

Question 20

The patient/client is to receive Humulin NPH 56 units subcutaneously every morning hour before breakfast. Which dosage and syringe is correct for the nurse to administer the medication?
A) 1-mL syringe drawn up with Humulin NPH at the 0.56-mL mark
B) 3-mL syringe drawn up with Humulin NPH at the 0.56-mL mark
C) Insulin 100-unit syringe drawn up with Humulin NPH at the 56-unit mark
D) Insulin 50-unit syringe drawn up with Humulin NPH at the 50-unit mark

Accepted Answer

Insulin syringes, which are marked in units, are used only for insulin administration. The low-dose 50-unit syringe should be used for injections of 50 units or less. The insulin should be used for injections of 50 units or less. The U-100 syringe is used for injections of 51 to 100 units. The U-100 unit syringe would be used for this patient/client for 56 units of NPH.

Quiz 5: Liquids for Injection

The physician ordered 100 mg of Cleocin (clindamycin) IM q6h. The drug is available in a vial labeled 300 mg/2 mL. Using a 1-mL syringe and rounding off to the nearest tenth, how many milliliters of Cleocin would the nurse give for each dose? Use the formula method to calculate the dosage.

The physician ordered 50 mg of gentamicin IM three times daily. The drug is available in a vial labeled 40 mg/mL. Using a 3-mL syringe and rounding off to the nearest tenth, how many milliliters of gentamicin would the nurse give for each dose? Use proportion (ratios) to calculate the dosage.

The patient/client is to receive Sandostatin 0.05 mg subcutaneously daily. The medication is available as Sandostatin 100 mcg/1 mL. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer the medication? Use proportion (fractions) to calculate the dosage.

The patient/client is to receive Valium (diazepam) 8 mg IM every 4 hours prn for agitation. The medication is available as Valium (diazepam) 5 mg/mL. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer the medication? Use dimensional analysis to calculate the dosage.

The physician ordered heparin sodium 3000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours. The medication is available as 5000 units/mL. Select the syringe to use and the amount of heparin to give. Use the formula method to calculate the dosage.

The physician ordered 1.5 mg of subcutaneous epinephrine stat. The medication is available in an ampule labeled 1:1000. How many milliliters should the nurse give?

The physician ordered 10 mg of subcutaneous lidocaine. The medication is available in a multidose vial labeled lidocaine 2%. How many milliliters should the nurse prepare?

The patient/client is to receive morphine sulfate 4 mg IV stat. The medication is available as morphine sulfate 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters of medication would the patient/client receive?

The patient/client is to receive Dilantin (phenytoin sodium) 300 mg IV daily. The medication is available as Dilantin (phenytoin sodium) 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters of medication would the patient/client receive?

The patient/client is to receive Tigan (trimethobenzamide hydrochloride) 150 mg IM stat. The medication is available as Tigan (trimethobenzamide hydrochloride) 100 mg/mL. How many milliliters of medication would the patient/client receive?

The patient/client is to receive Nembutal sodium (pentobarbital sodium) 120 mg IM at bedtime prn. The medication is available as Nembutal sodium (pentobarbital sodium) 50 mg/mL. How many milliliters of medication would the patient/client receive?

The patient/client is to receive AquaMEPHYTON (phytonadione) 5 mg subcutaneously every day for 3 days. The medication is available as AquaMEPHYTON (phytonadione) 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse give each day?

The patient/client is to receive Compazine (prochlorperazine) 10 mg IM every 4 hours prn for nausea and vomiting. The medication is available as Compazine (prochlorperazine) 5 mg/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?

The patient/client is to receive Humulin R 15 units subcutaneously daily at 7:30 am. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer the medication?

The patient/client is to receive Humulin NPH 56 units subcutaneously every morning hour before breakfast. Which dosage and syringe is correct for the nurse to administer the medication?