A client with mild fluid retention is prescribed furosemide 30\text{ mg} by mouth every mo… — NCLEX-PN

A client with mild fluid retention is prescribed furosemide $30\text{ mg}$ by mouth every morning. The client's morning vital signs include a blood pressure of $122/78\text{ mmHg}$ and a heart rate of $76\text{ beats/min}$ , with a recent serum potassium level of $4.1\text{ mEq/L}$ . The pharmacy delivers furosemide oral solution labeled $40\text{ mg}$ per $5\text{ mL}$ . How many milliliters (mL) should the practical nurse administer for the morning dose? Record your answer to the nearest tenth. Do not include units in your answer.

Answer: 3.8 mL

Answer

The practical nurse should administer

3.8\text{ mL}

of the furosemide oral solution.

The correct answer is derived by applying the standard dosage calculation formula

\frac{\text{Desired}}{\text{Have}} \times \text{Quantity}

. Substituting the given values (

\frac{30\text{ mg}}{40\text{ mg}} \times 5\text{ mL}

) yields

3.75\text{ mL}

. Rounding to the nearest tenth gives

3.8

. The vital signs and potassium level provided (

4.1\text{ mEq/L}

) are within normal limits, confirming it is safe for the practical nurse to proceed with the administration.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the prescribed dose and available concentration from the scenario.

Desired =

30\text{ mg}

, Have =

40\text{ mg}

, Quantity =

5\text{ mL}

Accurate extraction of clinical data is required before performing any medication calculation.

Apply the standard dosage calculation formula:

\frac{\text{Desired}}{\text{Have}} \times \text{Quantity}

\frac{30\text{ mg}}{40\text{ mg}} \times 5\text{ mL} = 3.75\text{ mL}

This formula determines the exact liquid volume needed to deliver the prescribed dose safely.

Round the final answer to the nearest tenth according to the instructions.

3.75\text{ mL}

rounds to

3.8\text{ mL}

Liquid medications measured in small syringes are typically rounded to the nearest tenth for precise administration, adhering to standard rounding rules where the hundredths place is

5

or greater.

Key Concept

Oral liquid dosage calculation using the Desired over Have formula.

Question

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Key Concept

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