A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin to a child who weighs 44 lb. The provider prescribes 6 mg/kg/day IV to be administered in three equal doses. Available is gentamicin 40 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer with each dose?

(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Choice A rationale:

Administering an IV fluid bolus can help increase blood volume and thus increase blood pressure, which can alleviate symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness. This is a common side effect of ramipril, especially after the first dose.

Choice B rationale:

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist and is not relevant in this context. It’s used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, not to treat symptoms associated with antihypertensive medications.

Choice C rationale:

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to treat allergic reactions or insomnia, not symptoms associated with antihypertensive medications.

Choice D rationale:

Administering 15 g of carbohydrates would be appropriate for a hypoglycemic patient, not for a patient experiencing dizziness and lightheadedness due to antihypertensive medication.

Choice A rationale:

Fexofenadine can be taken with or without food, and there are no specific interactions with magnesium hydroxide. However, it’s always important to consult a healthcare provider before combining medications.

Choice B rationale:

While staying hydrated is generally good advice, there’s no specific requirement to drink up to one liter of fluid per day while taking fexofenadine.

Choice C rationale:

Fexofenadine should not be taken with fruit juices such as orange juice because they can decrease the absorption of the medication, making it less effective.

Choice D rationale:

Fexofenadine can cause side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness in some people. Therefore, it’s important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.