Final answer:
To administer a 0.4 mg dose of atropine sulfate with a concentration of 0.3 mg per 0.5 mL, the nurse should prepare 0.7 mL of medication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking to calculate the volume of atropine sulfate solution needed to administer a dose of 0.4 mg when the available medication concentration is 0.3 mg per 0.5 mL. To find the correct volume to administer the prescribed dose, we use the formula:
Volume needed = (Dose prescribed / Concentration available) × Volume of available concentration
Substituting the values into the formula, we have:
Volume needed = (0.4 mg / 0.3 mg) × 0.5 mL
Volume needed = (4/3) × 0.5 mL
Volume needed = 0.667 mL which is rounded to the nearest tenth gives 0.7 mL.
Therefore, the nurse should prepare 0.7 mL of the atropine sulfate medication to achieve the correct 0.4 mg dose to be administered intramuscularly.