A nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol 5 mg IM to a client. The amount available is haloperidol 20 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?

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

A. Bleeding: While haloperidol can cause side effects such as orthostatic hypotension and sedation, it is not typically associated with bleeding as a common adverse effect.

B. Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is not a common adverse effect of haloperidol. However, it can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

C. Cataracts: Haloperidol is not known to cause cataracts. However, long-term use of antipsychotic medications, including haloperidol, may increase the risk of developing metabolic side effects such as weight gain, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, which can contribute to conditions like diabetes and potentially increase the risk of cataracts.

D. Dysrhythmias: Haloperidol can prolong the QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG), leading to an increased risk of dysrhythmias, including torsades de pointes. This risk is particularly important in clients with preexisting cardiovascular conditions or those taking other medications that can prolong the QT interval. Therefore, nurses should monitor clients receiving haloperidol for signs of dysrhythmias, including palpitations, dizziness, and syncope, and promptly report any abnormalities to the healthcare provider.

A. A client received gentamicin intermittent IV bolus over 1 hr:

While gentamicin is typically administered as an intermittent IV bolus, the rate of administration over 1 hour is not necessarily inappropriate. However, the specific institutional protocol or medication administration guidelines should be followed. If the rate of administration deviates significantly from the standard protocol or manufacturer's recommendations, it may warrant further investigation but may not necessarily require an incident report.

B. A nurse used a 25-gauge 3-inch needle to administer a heparin injection:

Using a 25-gauge 3-inch needle for heparin injection is not standard practice and may not be the most appropriate needle size for subcutaneous administration. However, it does not necessarily indicate a need for an incident report unless it resulted in harm to the client. It may prompt further education or clarification regarding appropriate needle selection for subcutaneous injections.

C. A nurse injected Demerol IM into the vastus lateralis site of an adult:

While Demerol (meperidine) is typically administered intramuscularly, the choice of the vastus lateralis site for injection in an adult may not be the most common practice, but it is an acceptable site for IM injections. Unless there are specific contraindications or adverse outcomes related to the site selection, this finding may not require an incident report. However, it could prompt a review of injection site selection guidelines or further education.

D. A client received a crushed bupropion XL tablet mixed with applesauce:

This finding indicates a need for an incident report. Bupropion XL (extended-release) tablets should not be crushed or chewed, as this can lead to rapid release and absorption of the medication, potentially causing adverse effects or toxicity. Administering crushed extended-release tablets is a medication error that warrants an incident report to document the event, assess potential harm to the client, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.