A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin 2 mg/kg IM to a client who has pelvic inflammatory disease and weighs 132 lb. Available is gentamicin injection 40 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
The Correct Answer is ["3"]
Use the following formula to calculate the amount of gentamicin to administer:
Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL)
First, I need to convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms. One pound is equal to 0.4536 kilograms. Therefore, 132 lb is equal to 132 x 0.4536 = 59.8752 kg.
Next, I need to multiply the client's weight by the prescribed dose of gentamicin per kilogram. The prescribed dose is 2 mg/kg, so the total dose is 2 x 59.8752 = 119.7504 mg.
Finally, I need to divide the total dose by the concentration of gentamicin in the injection. The concentration is 40 mg/mL, so the volume is 119.7504 / 40 = 2.99376 mL.
To round the answer to the nearest whole number, I need to look at the first decimal place. If it is 5 or more, I round up; if it is less than 5, I round down. In this case, the first decimal place is 9, which is more than 5, so I round up. Therefore, the final answer is 3 mL.
The nurse should administer 3 mL of gentamicin injection to the client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A client who has had two prior cesarean births is at an increased risk for uterine rupture during labor. Uterine rupture is a serious complication in which there is a complete or partial tear in the uterine wall, potentially leading to significant maternal and fetal morbidity or mortality.
The risk of uterine rupture increases with each prior cesarean birth due to the presence of a scar on the uterus. The scar tissue is weaker than the normal uterine tissue and can potentially rupture during contractions and labor. The risk of uterine rupture is particularly high if the client attempts a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
Option a) Precipitous labor refers to an extremely fast labor that lasts less than three hours from the onset of contractions to birth. While clients with prior cesarean births may be at increased risk for certain complications, such as uterine rupture, it does not necessarily increase the risk of precipitous labor.
Option b) Abruptio placentae is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall before the birth of the baby. While it is a potential complication during pregnancy, it is not directly associated with prior cesarean births.
Option d) Failure to progress refers to a lack of cervical dilation or descent of the baby during labor. While prior cesarean births can increase the risk of certain labor complications, such as uterine rupture, they do not necessarily increase the risk of failure to progress.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar (glucose) level is too low. Glucose is the main source
of energy for the brain and the body. Newborns need a steady supply of glucose to maintain normal body
functions and growth. Hypoglycemia can occur in newborns for various reasons, such as prematurity, infection, birth asphyxia, maternal diabetes, or inadequate feeding¹.
Hypoglycemia can cause various symptoms in newborns, depending on the severity and duration of the low blood sugar level. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Jitteriness or tremors
- Irritability or crying
- Lethargy or sleepiness
- Poor feeding or sucking
- Low body temperature
- Pale or blue skin color
- Sweating
- Rapid breathing or heart rate
- Seizures or coma
Jitteriness is one of the earliest and most frequent signs of hypoglycemia in newborns². It is caused by the stimulation of the nervous system by low blood sugar levels. Jitteriness can be distinguished from seizures by several features, such as:
- Jitteriness is provoked by stimuli, such as noise or touch, while seizures occur spontaneously
- Jitteriness stops when the stimulus is removed or when the baby is held, while seizures persist
- Jitteriness involves rapid movements of the limbs, chin, or trunk, while seizures involve rhythmic jerking of
the limbs or eyes
- Jitteriness does not affect the level of consciousness, while seizures may cause the baby to be unresponsive
The other options are not typical signs of hypoglycemia in newborns and have different causes:
a) Petechiae are small red or purple spots on the skin caused by bleeding under the skin. They can occur due to trauma during delivery, infection, clotting disorders, or low platelet count.
b) Increased muscle tone is a state of increased tension or stiffness in the muscles. It can occur due to neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, or brain damage.
d) Abdominal distention is a condition in which the abdomen becomes swollen or enlarged. It can occur due to various causes, such as intestinal obstruction, gas accumulation, organ enlargement, fluid accumulation, or tumor.

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