Question

A woman at 36 weeks' gestation is admitted to the hospital to receive a tocolytic medication in an attempt to stop labor. in addition, betamethasone (celestone) is prescribed to enhance fetal lung maturity. the prescription reads: "administer betamethasone 12 mg im daily for 3 days." the betamethasone comes in a vial labeled "6 mg/ml." how many milliliters should the nurse administer each day? record your answer using a whole number. ____ ml

Answer 1

The nurse will administer TWO milliliters each day. The prescription is to give 12 mg/ml intra-muscularly [IM]for three days. Since the drug comes in a package of 6 mg/ml per vial, two of it will be required to get 12 mg/ml. Thus, to administer 12mg /ml two vials of the drug will be used.