The physician has ordered Zantac elixir 75 mg PO bid for heartburn.

The medication is supplied in 15 mg/mL. How many milliliters will the nurse administer? (Shade CUP #1 to correct dose & LABEL CORRECTLY TO RECEIVE CREDIT)

Choice A rationale

Administering nitroglycerin on an as-needed basis for sudden, crushing chest pain is inappropriate because the immediate nature of the pain requires rapid intervention. Myocardial ischemia, often causing such pain, necessitates swift vasodilation to improve coronary blood flow and oxygen supply, preventing irreversible cardiac muscle damage. Delay can exacerbate ischemia.

Choice B rationale

Administering nitroglycerin on a prescribed schedule is typically reserved for prophylactic use in conditions like stable angina to prevent episodes, not for acute, sudden onset chest pain. This type of pain indicates an acute event, potentially myocardial infarction, demanding immediate action to mitigate cardiac damage through rapid vasodilation.

Choice C rationale

Administering medication at the earliest convenience is not appropriate for a STAT order in a patient experiencing sudden, crushing chest pain. "STAT" signifies an urgent need for the medication, indicating a life-threatening or rapidly evolving condition requiring immediate pharmacological intervention to avert significant physiological compromise.

Choice D rationale

Administering nitroglycerin immediately is crucial for sudden, crushing chest pain as it suggests acute myocardial ischemia or infarction. Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, reducing preload and afterload, which decreases myocardial oxygen demand and improves coronary blood flow, thereby limiting cardiac damage and alleviating symptoms rapidly.

Step 1 is to calculate the total drops to be infused. 100 mL × 15 gtt/mL = 1500 gtt.

Step 2 is to calculate the flow rate in drops per minute. 1500 gtt ÷ 30 minutes = 50 gtt/min. The final calculated answer is 50 gtt/min