Question

a client in the emergency department becomes agitated, and limit setting by the nurse is ineffective. the client's behavior escalates, and the client attempts to punch the nurse. the primary health care provider prescribes a STAT dose of haloperidol (haldol) 2.5 mg IM. the haloperidol available states that there is 5 mg/mL. how much solution of haloperidol should be administered?

Answer 1

To administer 2.5 mg of haloperidol when the concentration available is 5 mg/mL, you would give 0.5 mL of the solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client in the emergency department becomes agitated and is prescribed haloperidol (Haldol) 2.5 mg IM, and the available concentration is 5 mg/mL, the amount of solution needed can be calculated as follows:

The prescription is for 2.5 mg of haloperidol, and the available vial concentration is 5 mg in every 1 mL. Using a simple calculation, divide the prescribed dose of 2.5 mg by the concentration of 5 mg/mL:

Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL) = Volume (mL)

2.5 mg / 5 mg/mL = 0.5 mL

Therefore, you need to administer 0.5 mL to deliver the 2.5 mg dose of haloperidol.