Question

A client received a series of injections of medication in milliliters (mL): $1.5\mathrm{mL}$, $2.3\mathrm{mL},$ and $2.1\mathrm{mL}$. What was the total amount of $\mathrm{mL}$ the client received? ______

Short answer

The client received 5.9 mL of medication in total.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

We need to find the total amount of medication received by the client by adding up the quantities of individual injections: 1.5 mL, 2.3 mL, and 2.1 mL.

Set Up the Addition

We write down all the given injections as an addition problem: $1.5+2.3+2.1$.

Add the First Two Values

Start by adding the first two volumes of medication: $1.5+2.3$. Calculating this gives $3.8$.

Add the Third Value

Now add the result from Step 3 to the last volume: $3.8+2.1$. This equals $5.9$.

Conclusion

The total amount of medication received by the client is $5.9$ mL.

Key concepts

Addition of Decimal Numbers

Decimal addition is a fundamental concept crucial for effective calculations. It involves numbers with decimal points, which are essential for precise measurement in healthcare and other fields connected to daily life.
To add decimal numbers, ensure that the decimal points are aligned vertically. This ensures that each place value (ones, tenths, hundredths, etc.) is correctly added together.

• Start by writing the numbers in a column format, aligning the decimal points.
• Perform the addition as you would with whole numbers, starting from the smallest place value (rightmost) to the largest.
• If necessary, add zeroes to equalize the decimal places.

For example, in the problem where we needed to add 1.5, 2.3, and 2.1 mL: - First, align the decimals as: 1.5 + 2.3 ------ 3.8
Continue with: - Then, sum 3.8 and 2.1: 3.8 + 2.1 ------ 5.9 Hence, the total is 5.9 mL, showcasing that careful alignment and patient calculation are key in working with decimals.

Nursing Calculations

Nursing calculations are an essential part of healthcare practice, ensuring that patients receive the correct medication dosage. These calculations incorporate various mathematical skills, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and understanding of units like milliliters (mL), grams, and kilograms.
For this specific problem, understanding how to add decimal values accurately helps prevent errors in administering medication doses. Nurses and healthcare professionals must ensure total volumes of medication are calculated correctly for safe and effective patient care.

• Each calculation step must be clear and precise to avoid mistakes.
• Using units consistently throughout the calculation helps avoid confusion.
• Re-checking results helps maintain high accuracy.

For instance, when concluding that a client has received a total of 5.9 mL, it's crucial that nurses correctly add all the provided doses, confirming patient safety and effective treatment.

Mathematics in Healthcare

Mathematics is integral to healthcare, playing a critical role in everything from dosing medications to monitoring vital signs and analyzing patient data. Accuracy in calculations helps ensure high-quality patient care and safety.
Healthcare professionals rely on strong math skills to:

• Conduct dosage calculations to ensure safe medication administration.
• Interpret clinical data accurately to make informed healthcare decisions.
• Plan and schedule treatments effectively based on mathematical projections.

The problem presented, although simple, is a classic example showcasing the importance of mathematics in day-to-day healthcare operations. By calculating the correct amount of medication to be administered, healthcare providers protect patients from potential overdoses or underdoses.
The correct execution of mathematical techniques, such as applying decimals with precision, supports the vast array of calculations required in a healthcare setting and underscores the necessity of mathematical competence in the field.