HELP- nursing math problem

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I am doing this math question with peers and some of us are getting 2.8ml while others are getting 0.4ml. I am going with 2.8ml. Can someone please clarify? Thank you!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

How are you setting up your equation? Before we can help, we need to see your work to determine if you are doing it correctly or not.

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I'll support you at 2.8 mL, but you need to clearly understand why and how you got this answer.

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I got 2.8ml because vial is 8ml after reconstitution so the vial is 8ml=500ml. I multiplied 175mg (ordered dose) times 8mg then divided my 500mg. =2.8. (i think i made sense)

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I got 2.8ml because vial is 8ml after reconstitution so the vial is 8ml=500ml .

be careful with your units. 8 mL = 500 mg

multiplied 175mg (ordered dose) times 8mg

it's 8 mL not 8mg here

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Thank you. I have been doing practice questions since 10am, i didn't even catch that.

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This saying got me through nursing school... but always double check to see if the answer makes sense!!!

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"Desired over Have, times the Amount"

175mg / 500mg * 8mL = 2.8mL

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Desired = 175 mg

I have = 500 mg

in the amount (volume) = 8 mL

Dose = 2.8 mL

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I'm a little confused with this because on the directions it says "8ml (when mixed with 8ml of diluent)" wouldn't this mean a total of 16ml?

Please let me know if I'm totally off.

Thank you

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I'm a little confused with this because on the directions it says "8ml (when mixed with 8ml of diluent)" wouldn't this mean a total of 16ml?

Please let me know if I'm totally off.

Thank you

Package states that it does not contain diluent. Also states to "Reconstitute with 8mL...". I have never seen a med requiring reconstitution to be in anything but powder form (and if it isn't in powder form, it doesn't need reconstituted, only diluted). Therefore, the only fluid would be the 8mL used to reconstitute the medication.

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Package states that it does not contain diluent. Also states to "Reconstitute with 8mL...". I have never seen a med requiring reconstitution to be in anything but powder form (and if it isn't in powder form, it doesn't need reconstituted, only diluted). Therefore, the only fluid would be the 8mL used to reconstitute the medication.

Thank you very much for the quick response.

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A good way to check your work is to see if the answer makes sense.

The entire vial is 500 mg. You reconstitute it to make 8mL of liquid.

It would take a lot more than 0.4 mL (which is less than half an mL) to make 175 mg.

I know that not everyone thinks that way, but it always helped me (and still does).

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