A practical nurse is assigned to a client whose morning laboratory results indicate a seru… — NCLEX-PN

A practical nurse is assigned to a client whose morning laboratory results indicate a serum potassium level of $3.1\text{ mEq/L}$ . The health care provider prescribes a one-time dose of potassium chloride $45\text{ mEq}$ orally. The medication is supplied in a bulk bottle as an oral solution containing $20\text{ mEq}/15\text{ mL}$ . How many milliliters of the medication should the nurse pour to administer this dose? (Record your answer to the nearest tenth. Do not include units in your answer.)

Answer: 33.8 mL

Answer

33.8

To calculate the correct administration volume for an oral liquid, use the formula:

(\text{Desired Dose} / \text{Dose on Hand}) \times \text{Volume}

. The desired dose prescribed is

45\text{ mEq}

. The dose on hand is

20\text{ mEq}

, which is contained in a volume of

15\text{ mL}

. Plugging these values into the formula yields:

(\frac{45}{20}) \times 15 = 2.25 \times 15 = 33.75\text{ mL}

. According to standard clinical rounding rules, because the hundredths digit is a

5

, the value is rounded up to the nearest tenth, resulting in

33.8\text{ mL}

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the prescribed dose (Desired).

The desired dose is

45\text{ mEq}

This is the specific amount of potassium chloride ordered by the health care provider.

Identify the concentration of the available medication (Have and Volume).

The medication on hand is

20\text{ mEq}

per

15\text{ mL}

This information is needed to set up the dosage calculation equation.

Set up the dosage calculation equation.

\frac{45\text{ mEq}}{20\text{ mEq}} \times 15\text{ mL} = X\text{ mL}

The standard formula for liquid medication calculation is

(\text{Desired} / \text{Have}) \times \text{Volume}

Perform the calculation and round to the nearest tenth.

2.25 \times 15 = 33.75\text{ mL}

, which rounds to

33.8\text{ mL}

Standard rounding rules state that if the digit to the right of the target decimal place is 5 or higher, round up.

Key Concept

Medication dosage calculation for oral liquids using the desired over have formula

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