Order: dobutamine 5 mcg/kg/min

Patient's weight: 152 lb

Available: dobutamine 500 mg in 250 mL D5W

What is the flow rate in ml/hr? (Round to the nearest tenths)

A) 0.2 mg
The correct way to write the dosage is 0.2 mg. In pharmacology and medication administration, it is important to follow the guidelines set by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and other standard bodies, which recommend that a leading zero be used before a decimal point. This helps to prevent errors in interpreting the dosage. Writing 0.2 mg clearly indicates two-tenths of a milligram, and the leading zero makes it easier to avoid misreading the dose as a whole number (2.0 mg) or omitting the decimal point entirely.

B) .2 mg
Writing the dosage as .2 mg (without the leading zero) is considered unsafe and is a poor practice. The absence of the leading zero before the decimal point increases the likelihood that the dose may be misread. For example, someone could confuse .2 mg with 2.0 mg or misinterpret it in a hurried situation, which could lead to a tenfold dosing error

C) 2.0 mg
Writing 2.0 mg would indicate two milligrams, which is not the correct dosage for "two-tenths of a milligram." While this format does use a decimal point, it does not represent the correct dose. This error could lead to an overdose if misread as a whole number.

D) 0.20 mg
While 0.20 mg is technically correct, it is not the preferred or necessary format. The use of two decimal places is unnecessary in this case. Since the dosage is two-tenths of a milligram, 0.2 mg is simpler and clearer. Using an unnecessary trailing zero (the second "0") can cause confusion or misinterpretation, especially in critical settings where every detail counts.

A) "If I develop new symptoms like severe diarrhea, I should ignore them and finish the antibiotics."
New symptoms like severe diarrhea, especially if it is watery or bloody, can be a sign of a superinfection, such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), which is associated with antibiotic use. It is essential for the client to report these symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Ignoring such symptoms can lead to serious complications.

B) "I need to finish all my antibiotics and report any unusual symptoms like a white coating on my tongue to my doctor."
Completing the full course of antibiotics is crucial to fully eradicate the infection and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. The white coating on the tongue could indicate a fungal superinfection, such as oral thrush, which requires medical attention. This statement demonstrates an understanding of the importance of finishing antibiotics and recognizing potential side effects or superinfections.

C) "It is okay to share my antibiotics with family members if they have similar symptoms to mine."
Antibiotics should never be shared with others, even if they have similar symptoms. The antibiotics prescribed to a client are tailored to treat their specific infection, and taking the wrong antibiotic can lead to ineffective treatment, drug resistance, or adverse reactions. Sharing medication is dangerous and illegal.

D) "I should stop taking the antibiotics as soon as I feel better to avoid any side effects."
It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if the client starts feeling better before the course is finished. Stopping antibiotics prematurely can result in the infection not being fully treated, leading to a relapse or the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.