A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 80 \text{ mg} intravenous (IV) push to a cli… — NCLEX-RN

A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide $80 \text{ mg}$ intravenous (IV) push to a client experiencing acute pulmonary edema. The medication is available in a vial labeled $10 \text{ mg/mL}$ . Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

Administer $8 \text{ mL}$ of the medication at a rate of $2 \text{ mL}$ per minute.Answer
B
Administer $8 \text{ mL}$ of the medication at a calculated rate of $4 \text{ mL}$ per minute.
C
Administer the medication through the nearest Y-site without pausing to verify compatibility with the continuous infusion.
D
Administer the dose rapidly over 30 to 60 seconds to prioritize the immediate resolution of respiratory distress.

Answer

The nurse should administer

8 \text{ mL}

of the medication at a rate of

2 \text{ mL}

per minute.

The correct action involves accurately calculating both the volume to administer and the safe rate of administration. Furosemide is available at

10 \text{ mg/mL}

, so an

80 \text{ mg}

dose requires

8 \text{ mL}

. To prevent ototoxicity, IV furosemide should be administered no faster than

20 \text{ mg}

per minute. An

80 \text{ mg}

dose must be pushed over at least 4 minutes (

80 \div 20 = 4

). Administering

8 \text{ mL}

over 4 minutes equates to a safe and calculated rate of

2 \text{ mL}

per minute.

Step-by-Step Solution

Calculate the required volume of the medication.

\frac{80 \text{ mg}}{10 \text{ mg/mL}} = 8 \text{ mL}

To ensure the correct dose is drawn from the vial.

Determine the minimum safe administration time.

\frac{80 \text{ mg}}{20 \text{ mg/min}} = 4 \text{ minutes}

High-dose IV furosemide must be administered no faster than

20 \text{ mg/min}

to prevent ototoxicity and hypotension.

Calculate the rate of administration in mL per minute.

\frac{8 \text{ mL}}{4 \text{ minutes}} = 2 \text{ mL/min}

To guide the nurse in pushing the medication safely over the required time frame.

Key Concept

Safe administration of high-alert intravenous medications requires precise calculation of both volume and administration rate to prevent iatrogenic harm, such as ototoxicity from rapid loop diuretic infusion.

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Key Concept

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