Doctor ordered 0.35 mg and available drug is 0.25 mg per ml. What is the amount of drug should be given?

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Explanation

The standard formula for drug dosage calculation is (Dose Ordered / Dose on Hand) × Volume.
The dose ordered is 0.35 mg, and the dose available is 0.25 mg in 1 mL.
Substituting the values into the formula: (0.35 mg / 0.25 mg) × 1 mL.
The calculation results in 1.4 mL, which is the correct volume to administer.

Option B: This value is incorrect and likely results from a mathematical error during division, such as misplacing the decimal point.
Option C: This value is a significant miscalculation and does not follow the correct application of the dosage formula.
Option D: This value is incorrect and represents a substantial calculation error, leading to a significant overdose.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Drug Dosage Calculation helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Accurate dosage calculation is a critical component of the 'Six Rights of Medication Administration,' specifically the 'Right Dose,' to ensure patient safety.
Nurses should always double-check their calculations, especially for high-alert medications or when calculations involve decimals, to prevent potentially harmful medication errors.
What if the available drug was 0.25 mg in a 2 mL vial? The calculation would change to (0.35 mg / 0.25 mg) × 2 mL = 2.8 mL. This highlights the importance of always verifying the volume in which the drug is supplied.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key pieces of information provided: the desired dose (0.35 mg), the available dose (0.25 mg), and the volume the available dose is in (1 mL).
Recall the standard formula for medication calculation: (Desired Dose / Available Dose) × Volume.
Substitute the identified values into the formula: (0.35 / 0.25) × 1.
Perform the division: 0.35 divided by 0.25 equals 1.4.
Multiply the result by the volume: 1.4 × 1 mL = 1.4 mL.
Compare your calculated answer (1.4 mL) with the options provided to select the correct one.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q8ajAw6WGcmo0-t7VDxEgu

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 142-144

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 848-850

Practise the full AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.