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The patient/client is to receive lorazepam 8 mg IM every 4 hours prn for agitation. The medication is available as lorazepam 5 mg/mL. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer the medication? Use dimensional analysis to calculate the dosage.

A.

3mL

B.

Insulin U-100

C.

Insulin U-50

D.

1 ml

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Dimensional analysis:

  • Ordered dose: 8 mg IM.
  • Available concentration: 5 mg per 1 mL.
  • Volume needed = 8 mg × (1 mL / 5 mg) = 1.6 mL.

 

A. 3 mL: A 3 mL syringe is appropriate for IM injections and can accurately deliver 1.6 mL. It provides clear mL markings and enough capacity for the dose.

B. Insulin U-100: Insulin syringes are calibrated in insulin units, not mL, and are designed for subcutaneous insulin, not IM lorazepam.

C. Insulin U-50: Same issue as U-100; calibrated in units and not appropriate for IM medication administration.

D. 1 mL: A 1 mL syringe cannot hold the required 1.6 mL volume, so it is insufficient for this dose.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]

Explanation

A. Deltoid:The deltoid (upper arm) is a standard IM site for small volumes usually 1 mL or less. It is far removed from the sciatic nerve.

B. Ventral aspect of forearm:This site is used for Intradermal (ID) injections (like TB skin tests) or IV access, not for Intramuscular (IM) injections.

C. Dorsogluteal:This is the specific site the patient is complaining about. The dorsogluteal site (upper outer quadrant of the buttock) poses a significant risk of injury to the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal artery. It is generally no longer recommended for use due to these risks.

D. Ventrogluteal:The ventrogluteal site (hip) involves the gluteus medius and minimus muscles. It is the safest and preferred site for deep IM injections because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels.

E. Vastus Lateralis:The vastus lateralis (side of the thigh) is a large, well-developed muscle that is safe for IM injections and distant from the sciatic nerve.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. side of thigh:This area corresponds to the Vastus Lateralis muscle, which is a common site for IM injections, especially in infants and young children, but it is not the deltoid.

B. side of hip:The side of the hip, specifically involving the gluteus medius, is the site for the Ventrogluteal injection. This is considered the safest adult IM site, but it is not the deltoid.

C. back of hip:The upper, outer quadrant of the back of the hip involves the Dorsogluteal site. This site is discouraged in current practice due to the high risk of sciatic nerve damage, and it is not the deltoid.

D. upper arm:The Deltoid muscle is located in the upper arm, three finger-widths below the acromion process. It is a common site for small volume IM injections (<1ml)

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