The healthcare provider (HCP) prescribes diazepam 8 mg IM every 4 hours PRN for muscle spasms for a client with a fractured femur. The available vial is labeled "Diazepam Injection, USP 10 mg/2 mL." How many mL should the nurse administer to the client?

(Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)

Temperature: 98.9°F

• Neither Disease Process Nor Medication Use:
  The temperature is within normal range and does not indicate an infection or other abnormality.

Heart Rate: 112 beats per minute

• Disease Process:
  The elevated heart rate (tachycardia) is most likely due to the asthma attack, which increases respiratory effort and oxygen demand. Anxiety from the attack could also contribute.

Respirations: 28 breaths per minute

• Disease Process:
  The elevated respiratory rate (tachypnea) is consistent with the asthma attack and respiratory distress, a hallmark of the disease process.

Blood Pressure: 130/86 mmHg

• Neither Disease Process Nor Medication Use:
  This value is slightly elevated but not significantly enough to be directly attributed to asthma or medication. It could be situational due to stress or anxiety.

Oxygen Saturation: 88%

• Disease Process:
  The low oxygen saturation is indicative of hypoxemia caused by bronchoconstriction and impaired gas exchange during the asthma attack.

Choice A reason: Comparing the capillary refill in the hands is a useful assessment for evaluating peripheral circulation, but it is not specific to diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of the median nerve, and capillary refill does not provide information about nerve compression.

Choice B reason: Determining the client's sleeping position may provide insight into factors that exacerbate symptoms, but it does not directly assess for carpal tunnel syndrome. While certain positions might worsen the condition, this information alone is not diagnostic.

Choice C reason: Applying firm pressure over the ulnar artery is not relevant to assessing carpal tunnel syndrome. The ulnar artery supplies blood to the hand, but carpal tunnel syndrome involves the median nerve, not the ulnar artery.

Choice D reason: Tapping the client's wrists to locate the pain, known as Tinel's sign, is a specific test for carpal tunnel syndrome. Tinel's sign is positive when tapping over the median nerve at the wrist elicits tingling or pain in the fingers, indicating nerve compression.