An adult client admitted with a severe gastrointestinal infection is prescribed metronidaz… — NCLEX-PN

An adult client admitted with a severe gastrointestinal infection is prescribed metronidazole oral suspension. The prescription directs the administration of $7.5 \text{ mg/kg}$ every $6 \text{ hours}$ . The client's documented weight is $154 \text{ lb}$ . The pharmacy supplies the medication with a label reading $250 \text{ mg}/5 \text{ mL}$ . How many $\text{mL}$ should the practical nurse administer for a single dose? Record your answer to the nearest tenth. Do not include units in your answer.

Answer: 10.5 mL

Answer

The practical nurse should administer 10.5 mL.

The correct volume is

10.5 \text{ mL}

. To find this, the nurse must first convert the weight from pounds to kilograms (

154 \div 2.2 = 70 \text{ kg}

). Next, determine the ordered dose by multiplying the weight by the prescription (

70 \text{ kg} \times 7.5 \text{ mg/kg} = 525 \text{ mg}

). Finally, calculate the volume using the ratio of the available medication:

(525 \text{ mg} \div 250 \text{ mg}) \times 5 \text{ mL} = 10.5 \text{ mL}

Step-by-Step Solution

Convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms.

154 \text{ lb} \div 2.2 \text{ lb/kg} = 70 \text{ kg}

The prescribed medication is dosed based on the client's weight in kilograms.

Calculate the total required dose in milligrams.

70 \text{ kg} \times 7.5 \text{ mg/kg} = 525 \text{ mg}

This determines the exact amount of medication the client needs per dose based on the order.

Calculate the volume of liquid to administer in milliliters.

(\frac{525 \text{ mg}}{250 \text{ mg}}) \times 5 \text{ mL} = 10.5 \text{ mL}

This determines how much of the supplied concentration is needed to deliver the required dose.

Key Concept

Weight-based medication dosage calculation and liquid concentration conversion

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