If a liquid medication is prescribed at 240 mg and the concentration is 80 mg/5 mL, how many milliliters will you administer using ratio and proportion?

Rationale:
A. Document the administration in the patient's chart: Documentation occurs after the medication is safely administered, so it cannot be the step taken immediately after calculating the dose. Accurate verification is needed first to prevent errors.

B. Recalculate the dose using a different method: While recalculating can help double-check accuracy, the standard safety practice is to have a second nurse independently verify the calculation rather than relying on the same method twice.

C. Verify the calculated dose with another nurse: Independent verification by a second nurse is a critical safety step in pediatric medication administration. This practice reduces the risk of dosing errors, which are more dangerous in children due to their smaller size and variable pharmacokinetics.

D. Administer the medication immediately: Administering without verification increases the risk of dosing errors. Pediatric patients are particularly vulnerable, so confirming the dose with another nurse is essential before giving the medication.

Calculation:

Ordered Dose = 500 mg

Available Dose = 250 mg

Number of tablets = Ordered Dose / Available Dose

= 500 / 250

= 2 tablets