A nurse is preparing to administer filgrastim 250 mcg subcutaneous. How many mg 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 dosage of filgrastim to be administered in milligrams, given that the ordered dose is 250 mcg (micrograms), follow these steps:
- Convert Micrograms to Milligrams: The conversion factor between micrograms and milligrams is:1 milligram (mg)=1000 micrograms (mcg)1 \text{ milligram (mg)} = 1000 \text{ micrograms (mcg)}1 milligram (mg)=1000 micrograms (mcg)Therefore, to convert from micrograms to milligrams, divide the number of micrograms by 1000:Dose in mg=Dose in mcg1000\text{Dose in mg} = \frac{\text{Dose in mcg}}{1000}Dose in mg=1000Dose in mcg
- Apply the Conversion: Substitute the given dose of 250 mcg into the formula:Dose in mg=250 mcg1000=0.25 mg\text{Dose in mg} = \frac{250 \text{ mcg}}{1000} = 0.25 \text{ mg}Dose in mg=1000250 mcg=0.25 mg
- Round the Answer: The result of the conversion is 0.25 mg. Since the answer is already at the nearest hundredth, no further rounding is necessary.
Explanation:
Filgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the production of white blood cells, often administered to patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with certain conditions that affect bone marrow function. The medication is typically provided in micrograms, but for precise administration and documentation, converting to milligrams is often necessary.
To ensure accurate dosing, it’s important to understand unit conversions. In healthcare settings, it’s common to encounter medication orders in various units, so being adept at converting between them is crucial for safe and effective patient care. In this case, converting 250 mcg of filgrastim to milligrams ensures the correct dose is administered. By dividing by 1000, we convert micrograms to milligrams accurately, yielding 0.25 mg. This conversion process avoids errors in dosage and ensures that patients receive the precise amount of medication needed for their treatment.
In summary, for administering filgrastim at 250 mcg, the equivalent dose in milligrams is 0.25 mg. This conversion is crucial for ensuring accurate and safe medication administration.