A nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol 0.5 mg by mouth to an older adult client. The amount available is haloperidol oral concentrate 2 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
(Round the answer to the nearest hundredth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine the volume of haloperidol oral concentrate needed to administer 0.5 mg, follow these steps:
- Understand the Concentration:
- The concentration of haloperidol oral concentrate is 2 mg/mL. This means each milliliter of the solution contains 2 mg of haloperidol.
- Determine the Amount Needed:
- The prescribed dose is 0.5 mg. We need to calculate how many milliliters of the 2 mg/mL solution are required to deliver this dose.
- Set Up the Calculation:
- To find out how many milliliters are needed, use the formula: Volume (mL)=Desired Dose (mg)Concentration (mg/mL)\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{\text{Desired Dose (mg)}}{\text{Concentration (mg/mL)}}Volume (mL)=Concentration (mg/mL)Desired Dose (mg)
- Plugging in the values: Volume (mL)=0.5 mg2 mg/mL\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{0.5 \text{ mg}}{2 \text{ mg/mL}}Volume (mL)=2 mg/mL0.5 mg
- Perform the division: Volume (mL)=0.25 mL\text{Volume (mL)} = 0.25 \text{ mL}Volume (mL)=0.25 mL
- Round the Answer:
- The result is 0.25 mL, which is already rounded to the nearest hundredth.
Explanation: When administering medication, it’s crucial to ensure accurate dosing, especially for older adult clients who may be more sensitive to medications. Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication that can be used to treat various psychiatric conditions.
To administer the correct dose, understanding the concentration of the medication is essential. In this case, the haloperidol oral concentrate is available in a concentration of 2 mg/mL. By dividing the desired dose (0.5 mg) by the concentration (2 mg/mL), you determine the volume of the solution required to deliver the exact dose.
By calculating 0.25 mL, you ensure that the client receives the precise amount of medication prescribed. Accurate measurement is critical to avoid underdosing or overdosing, both of which can have significant implications for the client’s health. The final step is to double-check the calculation and measurement before administration to confirm accuracy.