A nurse needs to administer 0.8 g of a medication with a concentration of 400 mg/5 mL. How many mL should be drawn up?

Rationale:
A. Double-checking all mathematical calculations: Verifying calculations is important to reduce errors, but it does not ensure the dose is clinically safe or appropriate for the patient’s condition.

B. Evaluating the final answer using clinical judgment: After completing dimensional analysis, the nurse must assess whether the calculated dose is reasonable for the patient’s age, weight, and clinical condition. This step ensures the dosage is both safe and therapeutically appropriate.

C. Using the correct conversion factors: Accurate conversion factors are essential for correct calculations, but correct math alone does not guarantee that the dose is safe or suitable for the specific patient.

D. Ensuring all units are canceled out correctly: Proper unit cancellation prevents mathematical errors, yet it does not evaluate whether the final dosage is safe or clinically appropriate for administration.

Calculation:

Ordered Dose = 300 mg

Available Dose = 150 mg

Available Volume = 1 mL

Volume to administer = (Ordered Dose / Available Dose) × Available Volume

= (300 / 150) × 1

= 2 × 1

= 2 mL