A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has chronic stable angina and a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Step 1: Convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms.

44 pounds / 2.2 pounds/kg = 20 kg

Step 2: Calculate the child's total daily dose of gentamicin.

20 kg * 6 mg/kg/day = 120 mg/day

Step 3: Divide the child's total daily dose of gentamicin by the number of doses per day.

120 mg / 3 doses/day = 40 mg/dose

Step 4: Calculate the volume of gentamicin to be administered with each dose.

40 mg / 40 mg/mL = 1 mL/dose

Step 5: Round the answer to the nearest whole number and add a leading zero if necessary.

1 mL/dose = 1 mL/dose

Answer: 1 mL with each dose.

Choice A rationale:

Consulting a pharmaceutical sales representative is not the best option. While they are knowledgeable about the medications they promote, their primary role is to market their company’s products, and they may not have comprehensive information about other medications.

Choice B rationale:

While a nursing team member can be a valuable resource, they may not have the specific knowledge about the medication in question. It’s also important to remember that medication information can change frequently, and relying on another person’s knowledge may lead to errors.

Choice C rationale:

The client’s family can provide useful information about how the client has been taking the medication at home, but they are unlikely to have detailed pharmacological knowledge about the medication.

Choice D rationale:

A nursing drug guide is a reliable and up-to-date resource that provides comprehensive information about medications, including indications, contraindications, dosages, potential side effects, and interactions. Therefore, when unfamiliar with a medication, the nurse should consult a nursing drug guide.