A child who weighs 25 kg receives a prescription for methylprednisolone 0.5 mg/kg/day to be given intramuscularly in divided doses every 12 hours. The medication is available in a 20 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer with each dose? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the tenth.)

A. Changing the dressing using a compression bandage is not appropriate in this situation. The clear fluid could be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which can leak from the surgical site after lumbar spinal surgery. Applying pressure with a compression dressing could increase spinal or intracranial pressure, worsen the leak, and potentially increase the risk of complications such as infection or spinal cord injury. Therefore, this action is contraindicated until the type of fluid is confirmed.

B. Testing the fluid on the dressing for glucose is the correct immediate action. CSF contains glucose, whereas normal serous wound drainage typically does not. Confirming the presence of glucose helps the nurse determine whether the fluid is CSF, which is a potentially serious complication requiring urgent notification of the healthcare provider and close monitoring. This test provides rapid, actionable information to guide next steps in care.

C. Documenting the findings in the electronic medical record is important for legal and continuity of care purposes, but it is not the first action. Immediate assessment of the fluid type takes priority because CSF leakage can lead to complications such as meningitis or delayed wound healing. Documentation should follow after initial assessment and testing.

D. Marking the drainage area with a pen and continuing to monitor may be part of ongoing assessment, especially for tracking the size and progression of the leak. However, this action alone is insufficient as an immediate intervention. Without confirming the type of fluid, the nurse cannot determine whether the leak is serious or requires urgent intervention.

A. Prostate infections, such as prostatitis, can cause inflammation and irritation of the prostate gland, which can lead to elevated PSA levels. This is an important factor to explain to the client because PSA elevation is not specific to cancer alone; other benign conditions can also increase PSA. Understanding this helps reduce unnecessary anxiety and informs appropriate follow-up testing.

B. Prostatectomy involves surgical removal of the prostate gland. After a complete prostatectomy, PSA levels typically decrease to undetectable levels rather than increase. Therefore, this procedure would not cause elevated PSA.

C. Tobacco use is associated with various cancers and cardiovascular disease but does not directly elevate PSA levels. While smoking has systemic effects, it is not a recognized cause of increased PSA.

D. Alcohol consumption affects liver function and overall health but is not linked to elevated PSA levels. There is no direct correlation between alcohol intake and PSA elevations in prostate screening.