A nurse is preparing to administer a 2 mg IV bolus of morphine sulfate. Morphine sulfate is available in a concentration of 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

- Step 1: Identify the prescribed dose in units per hour. The client is scheduled to receive 1,200 units/hr of heparin.

- Step 2: Identify the concentration of the available solution. The available solution contains 25,000 units of heparin in 500 mL D5W.

- Step 3: Calculate the volume of solution needed to deliver the required dose. We can set up a proportion to solve for this:

- 25,000 units is to 500 mL as 1,200 units is to X mL.

- In other words, 25,000 units : 500 mL = 1,200 units : X mL.

- Step 4: Solve for X using cross-multiplication and division:

- Cross-multiplication gives us: 25,000 units × X mL = 1,200 units × 500 mL.

- Simplifying this gives us: 25,000X = 600,000.

- Dividing both sides by 25,000 gives us: X = 600,000 ÷ 25,000.

- Calculating the division gives us: X = 24.

Set the IV pump to deliver 24 mL/hr to administer the required dose of 1,200 units/hr.

Choice A: Topical ointment Topical ointment forms of nitroglycerin are used for their long-acting effects. The medication is absorbed slowly through the skin, providing a steady level of drug in the bloodstream. This form is not designed for rapid relief of acute angina attacks but rather for prevention.

Choice B: Sustained-release Sustained-release forms of nitroglycerin are designed to release the medication slowly over an extended period. This route is also not suitable for treating acute symptoms because it does not provide immediate relief but is used for long-term management of angina pectoris. Nitroglycerin is a medication used primarily to treat angina pectoris (chest pain) and heart failure. It works by relaxing the smooth muscles and dilating the blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the heart and decreases its workload. The route of administration can significantly affect the onset and duration of the medication’s action.

Choice C: Sublingual The sublingual route, where the medication is placed under the tongue, allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream through the rich supply of blood vessels found in the area. This form of nitroglycerin acts quickly, usually within 1 to 3 minutes, and is the preferred choice for immediate relief of angina pain. When rapid onset is required for relief from acute angina symptoms, the sublingual route is the most appropriate choice for administering nitroglycerin. It provides quick absorption and fast action, making it an essential treatment option for patients experiencing chest pain due to angina.

Choice D: Transdermal patch Transdermal patches release nitroglycerin slowly through the skin and into the bloodstream. Like topical ointments and sustained-release forms, they are used for long-term prophylaxis of angina and not for rapid relief.