A physician prescribed 35 mg of a medication, IM, q4h, prn. The drug is available as 50 mg/mL. How many milliliters would the nurse give for each dose? If the patient/client received six doses over 24 hours, how many total milliliters would the nurse give?
A) 0.5; 3
B) 0.6; 3.6
C) 0.7; 4.2
D) 0.8; 4.8

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 : 50 mg :: x mL : 35 mg; 50x = 35/50 = 0.7 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 1 mL/50 mg = x mL/ 35 mg; 50x = 35/50 = 0.7 mL. To estimate the total milliliters given over 24 hours, multiply 0.7 mL×
6 doses (24 hours ÷ 4 hours) = 4.2 mL.

A Physician Prescribed 35 Mg of a Medication, IM, Q4h