Question

Indicate how you would prepare each of the following using hydrogen peroxide (solute) and normal saline (solvent). Clean sacral wound with 4 oz of \(1 / 2\) strength hydrogen peroxide q6h. You make enough solution for 24 hours.

Short answer

Mix 8 oz of hydrogen peroxide with 8 oz of normal saline to make 16 oz of solution.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

The task is to mix a solution for cleaning a sacral wound. You need a solution that is \( \frac{1}{2} \) strength hydrogen peroxide. Your goal is to prepare the necessary amount to last for 24 hours, with treatments every 6 hours, meaning 4 applications. Each application should use 4 oz of the solution.

Calculate Total Solution Needed

Since you administer 4 oz every 6 hours, and there are 4 applications in 24 hours (i.e., \(24 / 6 = 4\)), you need a total of \(4 \times 4 = 16\) oz of solution.

Determine Amount of Hydrogen Peroxide Needed

The solution required is \(1/2\) strength, meaning the solution is half hydrogen peroxide and half normal saline. To find the amount of hydrogen peroxide needed, divide the total amount of solution (16 oz) by 2. This gives \(16 / 2 = 8\) oz of hydrogen peroxide.

Calculate Amount of Normal Saline Needed

Since the solution is to be half hydrogen peroxide and half normal saline, the normal saline will make up the remaining volume of the solution. So, you also need 8 oz of normal saline.

Prepare the Solution

Mix 8 oz of hydrogen peroxide with 8 oz of normal saline to create 16 oz of \( \frac{1}{2} \) strength hydrogen peroxide solution. This will be enough for 4 applications, each 4 oz, over a 24-hour period.

Key concepts

Hydrogen Peroxide Preparation

Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile solution used in various medical and household applications. When preparing it for medical purposes, especially in wound care, it's crucial to understand the appropriate concentration and dilution. Hydrogen peroxide typically comes in a 3% solution when purchased over the counter. For wound care, you may need a diluted version, like a 1/2 strength solution. To prepare this, you mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and normal saline. This process decreases the concentration by 50%, making it gentler on tissues, while still preserving its antimicrobial properties. Always ensure accurate measurement to maintain the intended efficacy and safety of the solution.
Proper storage is also necessary to prevent decomposition, as hydrogen peroxide can break down over time, especially when exposed to light or heat. - Use a dark, opaque container to store your prepared solution. - Keep it in a cool, dry place to maximize its shelf life.

Wound Care Solution

When dealing with wounds, using the right solution is vital for effective healing and prevention of infections. A 1/2 strength hydrogen peroxide solution is often used in cleaning wounds because it provides safe, yet potent antibacterial cleaning. This is particularly important for deep or large wounds, such as a sacral wound. Sacral wounds are prone to infection due to their location and often need careful cleaning to promote healing.
The use of diluted hydrogen peroxide helps to gently remove dead tissue and debris without causing further damage to healing tissues. This cleaning should be done regularly, often every 6 hours as needed in the case discussed, to ensure continuous wound management and help minimize bacterial growth.
- Be gentle during application to avoid irritating surrounding skin. - Consistently evaluate the wound for any signs of infection, such as increased redness or swelling.

Dilution Techniques

Understanding dilution techniques is crucial in creating safe concentrations of medication solutions. When diluting, the core principle is to decrease the concentration of the main substance by adding a specific amount of a solvent — in this case, normal saline is used as a solvent for diluting hydrogen peroxide. To achieve a 1/2 strength dilution, calculate the required total volume and divide it equally between the solute (hydrogen peroxide) and solvent (normal saline). Thus, for 16 oz of a finished solution, you combine 8 oz of hydrogen peroxide with 8 oz of normal saline.
Precision in measurement is key to ensuring the solution is neither too potent nor too weak, which could affect its effectiveness.
- Use measuring cups or syringes for accurate liquid measurement. - Mix thoroughly to ensure consistent concentration throughout the solution.

Nursing Dosage Calculation

In nursing, dosage calculation is a critical skill, especially when preparing diluted solutions for specific patient needs. The calculation ensures that patients receive the correct amount of medication without risk of overdose or under-treatment. With hydrogen peroxide wound care solutions, the dosage is determined by both the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the required volume per treatment. For example, if a patient needs 4 oz per application, and it must be given every 6 hours, ensure that the total daily solution covers these needs. Calculate the total daily requirement by multiplying the dosage per application by the number of applications per day, which ensures that no treatments are missed.
- Maintain a schedule to prevent any disruption in the application of the treatment. - Continuously verify calculations to avoid any errors that might affect patient care.