Question

A 10-year-old has an order for Demerol (meperidine) \(35 \mathrm{mg}\) IM for pain. The medication is available as Demerol \(50 \mathrm{mg}\) per \(\mathrm{mL}\). How much should the nurse administer? A. \(.5 \mathrm{~mL}\) B. \(.6 \mathrm{~mL}\) C. \(.7 \mathrm{~mL}\) D. \(.8 \mathrm{~mL}\)

Short answer

Answer: C. 0.7 mL

Step-by-step solution

Identify the dosage and available solution

The 10-year-old needs 35 mg of Demerol(IM), and available medicine is ne, peridine 50 mg/ml.

Set up the equation

We want to find out how many mL should the nurse administer. So let's say it's x mL. To find x, we will use the proportionality formula as follows: "Required Amount (mg)" / "Available Concentration (mg/mL)" = "Ml to administer" / "1 mL" In this case, 35 mg / 50 mg/mL = x mL / 1 mL

Solve for x

Solve the equation for x: 35 mg / 50 mg/mL = x mL / 1 mL By cross-multiplying and simplifying the equation, we get: 35 mg * 1 mL = 50 mg/mL * x mL Now, divide both sides by (50 mg/mL) to isolate x: x = (35 mg * 1 mL) / (50 mg/mL)

Calculate the value of x

Calculate the value of x using the given values: x = (35 mg * 1 mL) / (50 mg/mL) x = 35/50 mL x = 0.7 mL

Select the correct option

Based on the calculated value of x, we find that the nurse should administer 0.7 mL of Demerol. Hence, the correct answer is: C. 0.7 mL