A nurse is preparing to administer somatropin 0.24 mg/kg/week subcutaneously to be divided into six daily doses to a school-age child who weighs 66 lb. How many mg 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.)

Choice A rationale:

“You must rinse your mouth out after each dose.” This is incorrect. Rinsing the mouth after each dose is usually recommended for inhaled corticosteroids, not oral prednisone.

Choice B rationale:

“You should take this medication on an empty stomach.” This is incorrect. Prednisone should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset.

Choice C rationale:

“You should take a calcium supplement while taking this medication.” This is correct because long-term use of prednisone can lead to bone loss (osteoporosis) Taking a calcium supplement can help protect bone health.

Choice D rationale:

“You can expect some weight loss with this medication.” This is incorrect. Weight gain, not weight loss, is a common side effect of long-term prednisone use.

Choice A rationale:

Spreading the ointment in a 10 cm² (4 in) area is not the recommended method for nitroglycerin ointment application. The ointment should be applied over a 6x inch area in a thin, uniform layer.

Choice B rationale:

Massaging the ointment into the skin is not advised. The ointment should be applied in a thin layer and left to absorb into the skin.

Choice C rationale:

Applying the ointment in a thick layer is not recommended. A thin, uniform layer is sufficient for therapeutic effect.

Choice D rationale:

Covering the administration area with plastic wrap is the correct action. This helps to keep the ointment in place and enhances absorption.