Question

A client receiving chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer is to receive ondansetron (Zofran) 6 mg PO now. You have ondansetron 4 mg/5 mL available. How many mL of the ondansetron will you administer? (Round to the nearest 10th.) (Place only the numerical value in the space provided.)

Answer 1

To calculate the volume of ondansetron to be administered, the dosage required (6 mg) is divided by the concentration (4 mg/5 mL), resulting in 7.5 mL. This volume is then rounded to the nearest tenth, determining that 7.5 mL of the medication should be given to the patient.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking how to calculate the volume of medication needed when the dosage strength and the desired dose are given. In this example, a chemotherapy patient needs to receive ondansetron 6 mg orally, but the medication is available in a concentration of 4 mg per 5 mL. To find the necessary volume to administer, you use the following equation:

Dosage required (mg) = Concentration (mg/mL) × Volume (mL)

By rearranging the equation to solve for the volume, we get:

Volume (mL) = Dosage required (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL)

So:

Volume (mL) = 6 mg / (4 mg/5 mL) = (6 mg × 5 mL) / 4 mg = 7.5 mL

After calculating, you round the volume to the nearest tenth, giving you 7.5 mL which is the amount to be administered to the patient.