Which equipment should the nurse use to most accurately measure a 2 mL dose of viscous liquid solution to be administered orally?
3 mL syringe.
One ounce medicine cup.
Tuberculin syringe.
3 mL syringe and a sterile needle.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice a reason: A 3 mL syringe is the most accurate device for measuring a 2 mL dose of a viscous liquid solution due to its design and gradation precision. Syringes provide clearly marked measurement lines, allowing for highly accurate dosing, especially for amounts as small as 2 mL. For viscous liquids, the controlled plunger mechanism of a syringe ensures smooth and consistent measurement and delivery. This is critical in nursing practice, as even slight deviations in medication dosing can lead to therapeutic failures or adverse effects. Additionally, syringes are designed to handle a variety of liquid viscosities, reducing the likelihood of measurement errors caused by sticking or uneven flow. By eliminating the need for visual estimation common with other tools, the syringe minimizes user error and enhances patient safety. The 3 mL capacity ensures the nurse can measure the exact dose without overloading or underutilizing the equipment, maintaining both precision and ease of use.
Choice b reason: A one-ounce medicine cup is less accurate for measuring a 2 mL dose due to its relatively larger size and less precise measurement gradations. Medicine cups are typically designed for measuring larger volumes, such as 5 mL, 15 mL, or more, and are not ideal for small doses. The wide surface area and less detailed markings make it difficult to accurately align the liquid level to the desired measurement, especially for small amounts like 2 mL. This can result in over- or under-dosing, which is particularly problematic when administering potent medications. Additionally, the open design of medicine cups may make pouring viscous liquids challenging, as the liquid may stick to the sides of the cup, leading to further inaccuracies. While convenient for larger doses or liquid mixtures, the medicine cup does not offer the precision required for small, specific dosages in clinical practice.
Choice c reason: A tuberculin syringe, which has a capacity of 1 mL, is specifically designed for administering very small doses, such as subcutaneous or intradermal injections. Using it for a 2 mL dose is impractical and could lead to dosing errors. The nurse would need to fill the syringe twice to administer the full 2 mL, increasing the risk of cumulative measurement inaccuracies. This approach is also time-consuming and may lead to wastage of the medication, as viscous liquids can leave residue inside the syringe, further complicating the dose calculation. Additionally, the markings on a tuberculin syringe are optimized for fractions of a milliliter, not for whole milliliter increments, making it unsuitable for measuring a 2 mL dose. Using this tool for a dose beyond its designed capacity contradicts best practices in nursing, which emphasize using equipment tailored to the specific requirements of the medication and patient.
Choice d reason: Using a 3 mL syringe with a sterile needle is unnecessary and not recommended for administering an oral medication. While the 3 mL syringe itself is suitable for measuring a 2 mL dose, the inclusion of a sterile needle is irrelevant and introduces an additional risk of improper administration. Oral medications are not meant to be injected, and the presence of a needle could lead to accidental use or injury. Furthermore, sterile needles are specifically intended for invasive procedures, such as intramuscular or intravenous injections, and their inclusion in an oral medication protocol is not only superfluous but also contraindicated. The presence of the needle complicates the preparation process without providing any benefit, detracting from the simplicity and efficiency of administering the medication orally. In nursing practice, ensuring that the equipment matches the route of administration is crucial to patient safety and protocol adherence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Applying the client's positive airway pressure device is the most important intervention for the nurse to implement before leaving the client. It helps to prevent the collapse of the upper airway and maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation. It also reduces the risk of respiratory depression and apnea that may be caused by the opioid analgesic.
Choice B reason: Lifting and locking the side rails in place is a safety measure for the nurse to implement before leaving the client, but not the most important one. It helps to prevent the client from falling or injuring themselves, but it does not address the client's respiratory status or the effect of the medication.
Choice C reason: Removing dentures, or other oral appliances is a comfort measure for the nurse to implement before leaving the client, but not the most important one. It helps to prevent the client from choking or aspirating on the foreign objects, but it does not improve the client's airway patency or ventilation.
Choice D reason: Elevating the head of the bed to a 45-degree angle is a supportive measure for the nurse to implement before leaving the client, but not the most important one. It helps to facilitate the client's breathing and drainage of secretions, but it does not prevent the obstruction of the airway or the respiratory depression that may occur with the opioid analgesic.

Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Offering a pair of non-skid socks is not the most important action to implement next. The client may already have non-skid socks on, or may not need them if they are not walking. The priority is to prevent falls and injuries when transferring the client to the chair.
Choice B reason: Placing the chair by the bed is a necessary action to implement, but not the next one. The chair should already be by the bed before the nurse raises the head of the bed and moves the client to a sitting position. The next action is to help the client stand up and move to the chair.
Choice C reason: Supporting the client when rising is the best action to implement next. The client may be weak, dizzy, or unsteady after a week of bedrest, and may need assistance to stand up and sit down. The nurse should use proper body mechanics and a transfer belt if needed to support the client.
Choice D reason: Determining how the client feels is a relevant action to implement, but not the next one. The nurse should assess the client's vital signs, comfort, and tolerance of the activity after transferring the client to the chair. The next action is to ensure the client's safety and stability.
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