The healthcare provider prescribes cefazolin 500 mg IM every 6 hours. The available vial is labeled, "Cefazolin 1 gram,”. and the instructions for reconstitution state, "For IM use, add 2.5 mL sterile water for injection to provide a total volume of 3.0 mL.”. After reconstitution, how many mL should be administered to the client? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.).

Choice A rationale:

Crushing the medication and administering it in applesauce might alter its pharmacokinetics, rendering it ineffective or causing it to act too quickly. Sublingual tablets are designed to dissolve under the tongue for rapid absorption into the bloodstream. Crushing the tablet and mixing it with applesauce could change its intended mode of action.

Choice B rationale:

Placing the tablet under the client's tongue is the correct action for a sublingual tablet. Sublingual administration allows the medication to dissolve directly into the bloodstream through the sublingual mucosa, bypassing the digestive system and providing rapid onset of action.

Choice C rationale:

Obtaining a liquid form of the medication might be an option, but it may not always be available. Additionally, some medications are not available in liquid forms, and the liquid form might have a slower onset of action compared to the sublingual route.

Choice D rationale:

Placing the tablet inside the client's cheek is known as the buccal route of administration. While this route is also for oral absorption, sublingual administration is preferred for specific medications designed for rapid absorption.

These are the correct supplies for the PN to gather because they are needed to remove the saline lock safely and prevent bleeding or infection. The PN should wear exam gloves to protect themselves and the client from contamination, apply a small gauze pad over the insertion site and secure it with paper tape after removing the saline lock.

C. A three mL syringe is not needed to remove a saline lock and may cause confusion or harm if used incorrectly.

E. Sterile gloves are not needed to remove a saline lock and may be wasteful or unnecessary.