A nurse is preparing to administer morphine 4 mg IV bolus. Available is morphine injection 10 mg/ml. How many ml. should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To calculate the volume of morphine the nurse should administer, we can use the formula:Volume to administer (mL)=Desired dose (mg)Available concentration (mg/mL)\text{Volume to administer (mL)} = \frac{\text{Desired dose (mg)}}{\text{Available concentration (mg/mL)}}Volume to administer (mL)=Available concentration (mg/mL)Desired dose (mg)
In this case, the desired dose of morphine is 4 mg, and the available concentration is 10 mg/mL. Plugging these values into the formula gives:Volume to administer (mL)=4 mg10 mg/mL=0.4 mL\text{Volume to administer (mL)} = \frac{4 \text{ mg}}{10 \text{ mg/mL}} = 0.4 \text{ mL}Volume to administer (mL)=10 mg/mL4 mg=0.4 mL
The nurse should administer 0.4 mL of the morphine injection.
Explanation
- Understanding the Dosage: The order is for 4 mg of morphine. Knowing the exact amount required is crucial for patient safety, especially when dealing with opioids, which have a high potential for overdose.
- Available Concentration: The morphine injection is available in a concentration of 10 mg/mL. This means that in every milliliter of this solution, there are 10 milligrams of morphine.
- Calculation Process: To find out how much volume to draw up for a specific dosage, we use a simple division. This is a common practice in nursing calculations to ensure that the correct amount of medication is given.
- Rounding and Formatting: The instruction specifies rounding to the nearest tenth and using a leading zero. In this case, 0.4 mL meets this requirement. It’s important to avoid trailing zeros (e.g., 0.40 mL) to prevent misinterpretation in written orders.
- Safety Considerations: Administering opioids requires careful monitoring of the patient’s response, including pain relief and any potential side effects like respiratory depression. After administration, the nurse should observe the patient for efficacy and any adverse effects.
- Documentation: After administering the medication, it should be documented accurately in the patient’s medical record, including the dose, route, time, and any observations made post-administration.
By ensuring accuracy in calculations and following proper administration protocols, nurses can significantly contribute to patient safety and effective pain management.