The physician ordered 20 mg of a drug by IV push, to be given over 5 minutes, q12h. The medication is available as 25 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters would the nurse give for each dose? How many milliliters of medication would be given over each minute?
A) 4; 0.8
B) 4; 1
C) 5; 0.8
D) 5; 1

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): 5 mL : 25 mg :: x mL : 20 mg; 25x = 100/25 = 4 mL. Proportion (Fractions): 5 mL/25 mg = x mL/20 mg; 25x = 100/25 = 4 mL. To estimate the milliliters given over each minute, divide the total milliliters by the total minutes (4 ÷ 5 = 0.8 mL/minute).

The Physician Ordered 20 Mg of a Drug by IV