A provider is writing a prescription for nitroglycerin PO. Which of the following dosages is written correctly?
6/10 mg
0.60 mg
0.6 mg
6 mg
The Correct Answer is C
A. 6/10 mg.: Writing 6/10 mg is not an accepted or safe dosage notation because it increases the risk of misinterpretation and medication error. Dosages should always be written using decimals rather than fractions to ensure clarity and accuracy in administration.
B. 0.60 mg.: Although this value is numerically equivalent to 0.6 mg, it is unsafe to include a trailing zero after the decimal point. The extra zero could be misread as 60 mg, leading to a dangerous overdose. Standard medication safety guidelines prohibit the use of trailing zeros.
C. 0.6 mg.: This is the correctly written dosage because it uses a leading zero before the decimal point and omits any trailing zeros. This format minimizes the risk of dosage errors and aligns with safe medication administration practices endorsed by The Joint Commission.
D. 6 mg.: This dose would be excessively high for nitroglycerin, as therapeutic oral doses typically range between 0.3 to 0.6 mg. Administering 6 mg could cause severe hypotension, dizziness, or syncope due to excessive vasodilation.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. At the nurses' station while reviewing the provider's prescription: This is part of the preparation process but not the final safety check before administration.
B. At the time of documentation: Documentation occurs after administration, not before, and cannot prevent an error.
C. At the client's bedside right before administering the medication: The final check occurs at the bedside to verify the right patient, drug, dose, route, and time—ensuring safe medication delivery.
D. In the medication storage room: This is an early preparation step and does not confirm client identity or final accuracy at the point of administration.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Anticoagulants.: Anticoagulants such as heparin and warfarin are high-alert medications because dosing or administration errors can lead to life-threatening bleeding or thromboembolic events. They require close monitoring of coagulation parameters.
B. Chemotherapeutic agents.: Chemotherapy drugs are classified as high-alert due to their narrow therapeutic index and potential for severe toxicity. Even small dosing or timing errors can cause significant harm, including bone marrow suppression and organ damage.
C. Opioids.: Opioids are high-alert medications because of their potential to cause respiratory depression, sedation, and overdose when administered incorrectly. Careful dosage calculation and monitoring are essential, particularly in opioid-naïve clients.
D. Antihistamines.: Antihistamines are generally considered low-risk medications and are not classified as high-alert. While they may cause drowsiness or mild anticholinergic effects, these are rarely life-threatening, making them comparatively safer.
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