The physician prescribed 5000 units of a medication that is available in 10,000 units per milliliter. How many milliliters would the nurse administer?
A) 0.5 mL
B) 1 mL
C) 1.5 mL
D) 2 mL

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the amount of drug prescribed is different from the supply, you can solve the dosage problem with proportion, either using ratios or fractions. When one of the numbers is unknown, the letter x substitutes for the missing number. Proportion (Ratios): 1 mL : 10,000 units :: x mL : 5000 units; 10,000x = 5000/10,000 = 0.5 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1 mL/10,000 units = x/5000 units. 10,000x = 5000/10,000 = 0.5 mL.

The Physician Prescribed 5000 Units of a Medication That Is