Question

A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam 0.3mg/kg IV bolus to a toddler who weighs 22 lb and is experiencing a grand mal seizure. Available is diazepam solution for injection 5mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?

A) 0.6 mL
B) 0.8 mL
C) 1.2 mL
D) 1.8 mL

Answer 1

To calculate the amount of diazepam to be administered to the toddler, we need to convert their weight from pounds to kilograms and then use the appropriate dose per kg. The nurse should administer 0.6 mL of diazepam solution to the toddler.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the amount of diazepam solution the nurse should administer, we need to convert the toddler's weight from pounds to kilograms. The toddler weighs 22 lb, so the weight in kilograms is 22 lb ÷ 2.2 = 10 kg. Then, we can calculate the dose of diazepam by multiplying the weight in kg by the dose per kg, which is 0.3mg. So, the dose of diazepam for the toddler is 10 kg × 0.3mg/kg = 3 mg.

The available diazepam solution has a concentration of 5mg/mL. We can divide the dose of 3 mg by the concentration of the solution to find the volume that should be administered:

Volume = Dose ÷ Concentration = 3 mg ÷ 5mg/mL = 0.6 mL

Therefore, the nurse should administer 0.6 mL of diazepam solution to the toddler.