The nurse is reviewing the medication orders for a patient who will be receiving aminoglycoside therapy.
Which other medication or medication class, if ordered, would be a potential interaction concern?

Step 1: Identify the given values. The nurse needs to administer 2.5 mg of hydromorphone. The available amount is 5 mg/5 mL.

Step 2: Set up the calculation. We need to find out how many mL correspond to 2.5 mg. We can set up a proportion using the given values:

5 mL5 mg=x mL2.5 mg

Step 3: Solve for x. Cross-multiply and solve for x:

5 mg×x mL=2.5 mg×5 mL

Step 4: Simplify the equation:

x=5 mg.5 mg×5 mL

Step 5: Calculate the value of x:

x=2.5 mL

So, the nurse should administer 2.5 mL of the hydromorphone elixir.

Choice A rationale:

Administering the medications using a 3-mL medication syringe is not the best practice. While it is possible to use a 3-mL syringe for medication administration, it is not the most efficient or safest method. A larger syringe allows for easier administration and reduces the risk of creating too much pressure which could potentially damage the PEG tube.

Choice B rationale:

Applying firm pressure on the syringe’s piston to infuse the medication is not recommended. This can create too much pressure in the PEG tube and could potentially cause damage. It is generally advised to allow the medication to flow into the tube via gravity. Choice C rationale:

Flushing the tubing with 30 mL of saline after the medication has been given is the correct technique. This helps to ensure that all of the medication has been administered and also helps to keep the tube clear of any potential blockages.

Choice D rationale:

Using the barrel of the syringe, allowing the medication to flow via gravity into the tube is a common practice. However, it is not the only step in the process. It is also important to flush the tube before and after medication administration to ensure all medication is delivered and to maintain the patency of the tube.