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 determine how many milliliters (mL) of morphine to administer, we use the formula:
[ \text{Volume to be administered (mL)} = \frac{\text{Desired dose (mg)}}{\text{Concentration (mg/mL)}} ]
In this case:
- Desired dose = 4 mg
- Concentration = 10 mg/mL
Using the formula:
[ \text{Volume to be administered (mL)} = \frac{4 \text{ mg}}{10 \text{ mg/mL}} ]
[ \text{Volume to be administered (mL)} = 0.4 \text{ mL} ]
So, the nurse should administer 0.4 mL of morphine.
Explanation:
- Understanding the Concentration: The morphine available is in a concentration of 10 mg/mL. This means that each milliliter of the solution contains 10 milligrams of morphine.
- Calculating the Volume: To determine how much of this solution is needed to provide a specific dose (4 mg), you divide the desired dose by the concentration. This calculation helps in converting the dose from milligrams to the volume in milliliters.
- Formula Application: Plugging in the values into the formula: [
\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{4 \text{ mg}}{10 \text{ mg/mL}} = 0.4 \text{ mL}
] - Rounding and Units: The result of the calculation is already in the correct format. Since the calculation yields 0.4 mL, there is no need for further rounding. The leading zero before the decimal point (0.4) ensures clarity and precision.
- Practical Considerations: In a clinical setting, accuracy is crucial. Administering the correct volume ensures that the patient receives the appropriate amount of medication, reducing the risk of underdosing or overdosing.
In summary, the nurse should administer 0.4 mL of morphine to deliver the 4 mg dose as prescribed.