The healthcare provider prescribed octreotide 150 mcg/day subcutaneously for a client with dumping syndrome. The medication is available in 0.2 mg/mL vials. How many mL should the practical nurse (PN) administer? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest hundredth).
The correct answer and Explanation is :
To determine how many milliliters (mL) of octreotide to administer, you need to perform the following calculations:
- Convert the dosage from micrograms to milligrams:
The prescribed dose is 150 mcg (micrograms). To convert micrograms to milligrams:
[
150 \text{ mcg} \times \frac{1 \text{ mg}}{1000 \text{ mcg}} = 0.15 \text{ mg}
] - Calculate the volume needed from the vial:
The vial concentration is 0.2 mg/mL. To find out how many mL are needed to get a dose of 0.15 mg:
[
\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{\text{Dose (mg)}}{\text{Concentration (mg/mL)}}
]
Substitute the values:
[
\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{0.15 \text{ mg}}{0.2 \text{ mg/mL}} = 0.75 \text{ mL}
]
So, the practical nurse should administer 0.75 mL of octreotide.
Explanation:
1. Dosage Conversion:
- Micrograms to Milligrams: Medications are often prescribed in micrograms (mcg) but the vial concentration is in milligrams (mg). To align the units, convert mcg to mg by dividing by 1000. This gives us the amount of octreotide in milligrams.
2. Volume Calculation:
- Determining Volume: Once the dosage in milligrams is known, use the vial concentration to find the required volume. Concentration tells us how much drug is present in each milliliter of solution. By dividing the dose (in mg) by the concentration (in mg/mL), we calculate the volume needed to achieve the prescribed dosage.
By following these steps, we ensure accurate administration of the medication, essential for effective treatment and patient safety.