Question

A client who is experiencing musculoskeletal pain receives a prescription for ketorolac 15mg IM q6 hours. The medication is depended in a 39mg/ml pre-filled syringe. Which action should the nurse implement when giving the medication?

Answer 1

When giving the medication, the nurse should calculate the dose, check the concentration, convert the concentration, calculate the volume, and administer the medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

When giving the medication, the nurse should follow these steps:

1. Calculate the dose of ketorolac required: 15mg q6h.
2. Check the concentration of the pre-filled syringe: 39mg/ml.
3. Convert the concentration from mg/ml to ml/39mg: 1ml/39mg.
4. Calculate the volume of medication needed: (15mg * 1ml) / 39mg = 0.38ml.
5. Administer the medication using a syringe that can accurately measure 0.38ml.