The healthcare provider prescribes filgrastim 5 mog/kg/day subcutaneously for a client who weighs 132 pounds and has just completed chemotherapy. The medication is available in 480 mcg/0.8 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth).
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To determine how many mL of filgrastim should be administered, follow these steps:
- Convert the client’s weight from pounds to kilograms:The client weighs 132 pounds. To convert this weight to kilograms, use the conversion factor where 1 pound is approximately 0.453592 kilograms.Weight in kg=132 lbs×0.453592 kg/lb=59.87 kg\text{Weight in kg} = 132 \text{ lbs} \times 0.453592 \text{ kg/lb} = 59.87 \text{ kg}Weight in kg=132 lbs×0.453592 kg/lb=59.87 kgFor simplicity, we can round this to 59.9 kg.
- Calculate the total dose required:The prescription is for 5 mcg/kg/day. Multiply the client’s weight in kilograms by the dose per kilogram.Total dose (in mcg)=59.9 kg×5 mcg/kg=299.5 mcg\text{Total dose (in mcg)} = 59.9 \text{ kg} \times 5 \text{ mcg/kg} = 299.5 \text{ mcg}Total dose (in mcg)=59.9 kg×5 mcg/kg=299.5 mcgThis rounds to 300 mcg.
- Determine the volume of medication needed:The medication is available in a concentration of 480 mcg per 0.8 mL. To find out how many mL contain 300 mcg, use the following proportion:480 mcg0.8 mL=300 mcgx mL\frac{480 \text{ mcg}}{0.8 \text{ mL}} = \frac{300 \text{ mcg}}{x \text{ mL}}0.8 mL480 mcg=x mL300 mcgSolve for xxx:x=300 mcg×0.8 mL480 mcg=240480=0.5 mLx = \frac{300 \text{ mcg} \times 0.8 \text{ mL}}{480 \text{ mcg}} = \frac{240}{480} = 0.5 \text{ mL}x=480 mcg300 mcg×0.8 mL=480240=0.5 mL
Thus, the nurse should administer 0.5 mL of filgrastim.
Explanation:
The calculation starts with converting the patient’s weight to kilograms because dosages are often based on weight in metric units. After determining the appropriate dose based on the patient’s weight, the next step is to use the concentration of the medication to calculate the volume required. By setting up a proportion based on the medication’s concentration and solving for the volume, you ensure the patient receives the correct dosage. Rounding the final volume to the nearest tenth is important for practical administration and minimizes dosing errors.