Which numeric form is appropriate, according to the Joint Commission?
3.0
0.30
0.03
0.3
Calculate all drug dosages by body surface area.
The Correct Answer is D
This numeric form is appropriate, according to the Joint Commission, because it does not use a trailing zero after a decimal point, which is a common cause of medication errors and should be avoided. A trailing zero may be misread or misinterpreted as a larger dose or omited altogether, resulting in a 10-fold overdose or underdose, respectively. For example, when prescriptions have been writen for "Coumadin 1.0 mg," patients have received 10 mg in error¹². Therefore, the Joint Commission requires that a trailing zero may be used only when required to demonstrate the level of precision of the value being reported, such as for laboratory results, imaging studies that report the size of lesions, or catheter/tube sizes. It may not be used in medication orders or other medication-related documentation.
The other options are not appropriate numeric forms because:
a) 3.0 uses a trailing zero after a decimal point, which poses a risk of confusion or error.
b) 0.30 uses a trailing zero after a decimal point, which poses a risk of confusion or error.
c) 0.03 is not equivalent to 0.3, as it is 10 times smaller.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse should administer 1 mL per dose to the patient.
This answer is correct because it is based on a simple ratio and proportion calculation. The nurse can set up a proportion as follows:
30 mg / 1 mL = 30 mg / x mL
Cross-multiplying and solving for x gives:
x = 1 mL
Therefore, the nurse should administer 1 mL of Toradol injection to deliver 30 mg of the medication to the patient.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This statement is correct because the abdomen has a large surface area and a good blood supply, which allows for a consistent and predictable absorption of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and needs to be delivered in precise doses to avoid complications such as hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).
The abdomen is also easy to access and has less variation in fat thickness, which reduces the risk of injecting into the muscle or the skin instead of the subcutaneous tissue. The subcutaneous tissue is the layer of fat and connective tissue below the skin and above the muscle, where insulin injections are given.
The other statements are not correct because they do not explain why the abdomen is the preferred site for subcutaneous insulin injections or they contain false information.
a.It is the least painful location for this injection. This statement is false because pain is subjective and depends on many factors, such as the type and size of the needle, the technique and speed of injection, the temperature and viscosity of the insulin, and the individual's pain tolerance and sensitivity. The abdomen may not be the least painful location for everyone, and some people may prefer other sites, such as the arms, thighs, or butocks.
b.There are fewer insulin side effects when given in this site. This statement is false because insulin side effects are not related to the site of injection, but to the dose, type, and timing of insulin, as well as the individual's response to insulin and other factors, such as diet, exercise, stress, illness, and medications. Insulin side effects may include hypoglycemia, weight gain, allergic reactions, lipodystrophy (changes in fat tissue), or edema (swelling).
c.It causes less bruising at the site. This statement is false because bruising is caused by bleeding under the skin due to damage to blood vessels during injection. Bruising can occur at any site of injection and depends on many factors, such as the type and size of the needle, the technique and speed of injection, the pressure applied after injection, the individual's clotting ability and blood thinning medications, and the presence of any underlying conditions that affect blood vessels or circulation.
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