The patient/client is to receive trifluoperazine HCL 3 mg IM every 6 hours prn. The medication is available as trifluoperazine HCL 2 mg/mL. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer the medication?
Insulin U-50
1-ml precision
Insulin U-100
3 ml
The Correct Answer is D
The ordered dose is 3 mg IM, and the concentration is 2 mg/mL. Volume needed = 3 mg ÷ 2 mg/mL = 1.5 mL.
A. Insulin U-50: Insulin syringes are used exclusively for insulin and are calibrated in Units, not milliliters. A U-50 syringe holds 50 units (0.5 mL) and is unsuitable for a non-insulin dose measured in milliliters.
B. 1-ml precision: A 1-mL precision syringe (often a Tuberculin/TB syringe) is calibrated in hundredths of a milliliter (0.01 mL), making it ideal for doses less than 1 mL or for pediatric doses requiring high accuracy. However, since the calculated dose is 1.5 mL, this syringe would be too small and require drawing up the dose twice, which is poor practice and can compromise accuracy.
C. Insulin U-100: Insulin syringes are used exclusively for insulin and are calibrated in Units. A U-100 syringe holds 100 units (1.0 mL) and is unsuitable for a non-insulin dose measured in milliliters, and is also too small for the 1.5 mL volume.
D. 3 ml: A 3-mL syringe is the standard size for most intramuscular (IM) injections and is calibrated in tenths of a milliliter (0.1 mL). It can easily hold the required 1.5 mL dose, making it the most appropriate and safest choice for accurate administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The anterior thigh:The anterior (front) aspect of the thigh is the location of the rectus femorismuscle. While this can be used for injections, it is distinct from the vastus lateralis.
B. The upper arm: The upper arm is the location of the deltoidmuscle, a common site for small-volume vaccines.
C. The side of the thigh:The vastus lateralis is located on the lateral (outer/side) aspect of the thigh. It is a preferred site for Intramuscular (IM) injections, especially in infants and children, because it is a large muscle mass generally free of major nerves and blood vessels.
D. The back of the hip:This describes the dorsogluteal site. This site is no longer recommended for injections due to the high risk of striking the sciatic nerve or injecting into superior gluteal artery.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Ordered dose: 120 mg per dose.
Stated concentration: 30 mg per 5 mL.
30 mg per 5 mL = 6 mg per mL.
Volume: 120 mg ÷ 6 mg/mL = 20 mL per dose
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.