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Difficulty: MediumPharmacological Therapies

A practical nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of potassium chloride oral solution to a client who is receiving diuretic therapy. The provider has prescribed 30 mEq30\text{ mEq} of potassium chloride by mouth daily. The pharmacy provides the medication in a bulk bottle labeled 20 mEq/15 mL20\text{ mEq}/15\text{ mL}.

How many mL\text{mL} should the nurse administer per dose? (Record the answer to the nearest tenth. Do not include units in the answer.)

Answer: 22.5 mL

Answer

22.5
To determine the correct volume to administer, the practical nurse uses the standard medication calculation formula: (Desired Dose/Available Dose)×Volume(\text{Desired Dose} / \text{Available Dose}) \times \text{Volume}. The desired dose prescribed is 30 mEq30\text{ mEq}, the available dose is 20 mEq20\text{ mEq}, and the volume those 20 mEq20\text{ mEq} are dissolved in is 15 mL15\text{ mL}. Dividing 3030 by 2020 equals 1.51.5. Multiplying 1.51.5 by the volume of 15 mL15\text{ mL} yields a final administrable volume of 22.5 mL22.5\text{ mL}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the prescribed desired dose and the available medication concentration.
Desired dose: 30 mEq30\text{ mEq}. Available: 20 mEq20\text{ mEq} per 15 mL15\text{ mL}.
Extracting the correct values from the prescription and medication label is the first necessary step for accurate dosage calculation.
2
Set up the calculation using the formula: (Desired/Have)×Volume=X(\text{Desired} / \text{Have}) \times \text{Volume} = X.
(30 mEq/20 mEq)×15 mL=X(30\text{ mEq} / 20\text{ mEq}) \times 15\text{ mL} = X
This formula ensures the unit of milliequivalents (mEq) cancels out, leaving the final answer in the requested unit of milliliters (mL).
3
Perform the mathematical operation to solve for X.
1.5×15 mL=22.5 mL1.5 \times 15\text{ mL} = 22.5\text{ mL}.
Solving the equation provides the exact volume the nurse needs to pour for the client.

Key Concept

Liquid Medication Dosage Calculation
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Topics

Pharmacological Therapies

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