The nurse is caring for a client on the surgical unit. The primary healthcare provider prescribed morphine sulfate 20 mg IM as a one-time dose. The nurse has available morphine sulfate in a 20 mL vial labeled 15 mg per mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? Round to one decimal place.

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Multiple Choice

The nurse is caring for a client on the surgical unit. The primary healthcare provider prescribed morphine sulfate 20 mg IM as a one-time dose. The nurse has available morphine sulfate in a 20 mL vial labeled 15 mg per mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? Round to one decimal place.

Dose calculations use the drug’s concentration to convert the prescribed amount into a volume to administer. Here, the order is 20 mg of morphine. The vial provides 15 mg per 1 mL, so each milliliter contains 15 mg. Set up the equation: 15 mg/mL × V = 20 mg. Solve for V: V = 20 / 15 = 1.333... mL. Rounding to one decimal place gives 1.3 mL. Therefore, administer about 1.3 mL. This approach ensures the patient receives the intended 20 mg dose based on the available concentration.

Dose calculations use the drug’s concentration to convert the prescribed amount into a volume to administer. Here, the order is 20 mg of morphine. The vial provides 15 mg per 1 mL, so each milliliter contains 15 mg. Set up the equation: 15 mg/mL × V = 20 mg. Solve for V: V = 20 / 15 = 1.333... mL. Rounding to one decimal place gives 1.3 mL. Therefore, administer about 1.3 mL. This approach ensures the patient receives the intended 20 mg dose based on the available concentration.

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