A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin 100 mg PO every 8 hr to a toddler who weighs 20 kg. The recommended dosage is 20 to 25mg/kg/day. Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?
The nurse administers the prescribed dosage.
The nurse determines the prescription is insufficient to achieve the desired effect.
The nurse determines the prescription is above the recommended dosage range.
The nurse contacts the pharmacist to adjust the prescribed dosage.
The Correct Answer is B
A) The nurse administers the prescribed dosage: Administering the prescribed dosage of 100 mg every 8 hours might seem appropriate at first glance, but it is crucial to evaluate whether this dosage falls within the recommended dosage range based on the child’s weight. Without checking the dosage range, there could be a risk of underdosing or overdosing.
B) The nurse determines the prescription is insufficient to achieve the desired effect: To evaluate this, calculate the total daily dosage based on the prescribed regimen and compare it to the recommended range. For a toddler weighing 20 kg, the recommended daily dosage range is 20 to 25 mg/kg/day. This equates to 400 mg to 500 mg per day (20 kg x 20 mg = 400 mg; 20 kg x 25 mg = 500 mg). The prescribed dosage is 100 mg every 8 hours, which totals 300 mg per day (100 mg x 3 doses). Therefore, the prescribed dosage falls below the recommended range, making it insufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
C) The nurse determines the prescription is above the recommended dosage range: This option is incorrect as the calculated daily dose of 300 mg is actually below the recommended range of 400 to 500 mg per day. Therefore, the prescription does not exceed the recommended dosage.
D) The nurse contacts the pharmacist to adjust the prescribed dosage: While it is important to contact the pharmacist or healthcare provider when there are concerns about dosage, in this scenario, the primary issue is that the dosage is insufficient rather than an adjustment made by the pharmacist. The nurse should first determine if the dosage falls within the recommended range before deciding to make contact for adjustments.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) 0.20 mg: Although this representation of two-tenths of a milligram is correct, the trailing zero (the "0" after the decimal) is not typically necessary and can potentially lead to confusion. Standard practice generally omits trailing zeros to prevent errors in medication administration.
B) 2.0 mg: This represents two milligrams, not two-tenths of a milligram. The magnitude of the dose is significantly different from what is intended, making this option incorrect for representing two-tenths of a milligram.
C) .2 mg: This format lacks a leading zero before the decimal point, which can lead to misinterpretation or errors. The absence of the leading zero may cause confusion, especially in situations where decimal points are misread.
D) 0.2 mg: This is the most appropriate and clear way to write two-tenths of a milligram. It includes the leading zero before the decimal point, which helps to avoid confusion and accurately communicates the dose. This format adheres to standard practices for dosing precision and clarity.
Correct Answer is ["2"]
Explanation
Step 1: Set up the calculation.
You need to determine how many mL of the available solution will provide the ordered 20 mEq.
Use the formula:
Volume to administer=Desired dose / Concentration
Where:
• Desired dose = 20 mEq
• Concentration = 10 mEq/mL
Step 2: Plug in the values and calculate.
Volume to administer=20 mEq / 10 mEq/mL
Volume to administer=2 mL
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