A nurse is preparing to administer buspirone 7.5 mg PO every 12 hr to a client. The amount available is buspirone 15 mg/tablet. How many tablets 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.)

A. Insert the needle slowly and gently.

This statement is generally true for most injection techniques, including the Z-track method. Slow and gentle insertion helps minimize discomfort for the client and allows for better control over the needle's placement. However, the specific speed of insertion may vary depending on the nurse's technique and the client's skin condition.

B. Pull the skin 1.3 cm (1/2 inch) to the side.

This statement is correct. The Z-track technique involves pulling the skin laterally (to the side) by approximately 1.3 cm (1/2 inch) before inserting the needle. This lateral displacement of the skin creates a zigzag pathway for the medication, which helps prevent leakage or tracking of the medication along the injection site.

C. Aspirate for 5 to 10 seconds.

Aspiration, or pulling back on the plunger of the syringe after needle insertion, is not typically recommended for intramuscular injections, including those using the Z-track method. Aspiration may increase the risk of tissue trauma or damage to blood vessels. Since the Z-track technique is designed to minimize medication leakage into the subcutaneous tissue, aspiration is usually unnecessary.

D. Use a 45° angle of insertion.

The angle of insertion for the Z-track technique is typically 90 degrees (perpendicular) to the skin surface rather than 45 degrees. This angle allows for proper depth penetration into the muscle and ensures adequate delivery of the medication into the muscle tissue.

B. Shake the container vigorously:

This is the correct action. Phenytoin suspension tends to settle over time, leading to non-uniform distribution of the medication in the suspension. Therefore, shaking the container vigorously before administering each dose ensures proper dispersion of the medication and helps maintain consistent drug concentration, thus promoting therapeutic efficacy.

A. Check the child's blood pressure:

Checking the child's blood pressure is not directly related to the administration of phenytoin suspension. Monitoring blood pressure may be indicated in certain clinical situations or with certain medications, but it is not specifically required before administering phenytoin suspension.

C. Be sure the child has not eaten within the hour:

While it's important to consider food-drug interactions with certain medications, such as those affected by food intake, there are no specific dietary restrictions associated with phenytoin suspension administration. Therefore, checking whether the child has eaten within the hour is not a necessary step before administering phenytoin suspension.

D. Perform mouth care:

Performing mouth care is not directly related to the administration of phenytoin suspension. However, oral hygiene is important for overall health, especially in children who may have difficulty performing adequate mouth care independently. While mouth care should be encouraged, it is not specifically required before administering phenytoin suspension.