Trouble with med question

Published

Hello!

I'm entering a nursing program in the fall and was sent a practice exam for our first math/med exam that we will be having. I have gotten all but one correct, and can't seem to figure out what I'm doing wrong or if its the answer key has an error.

MD order: Give Codeine elixir 30mg PO as needed for pain. Medication on hand: Codeine elixir 10mg/5ml. How many tsp will the nurse give?

How I solved:

30/10 × 5 = 15

15 × 0.203 = 3.045

The nurse will give 3 tsp

The answer key is saying that the answer is 1 tsp....please help. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are correct. There are 5mL in a tsp so 15mL would be 3 tsp. Your answer key is wrong :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You are correct. There are 5mL in a tsp so 15mL would be 3 tsp. Your answer key is wrong :up:

Thank you! I didn't want to assume that I was correct over the key since I'm new at this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health, TB.

3 teaspoons=1 tablespoon. Whomever edited the key must have mixed up tsp with tbsp.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Post Acute, Med/Surg, ED, Nurse Manager.

yep, they are wrong! Go you. You get to argue over a nursing test before nursing school starts. Just get used to much much more. lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
3 teaspoons=1 tablespoon. Whomever edited the key must have mixed up tsp with tbsp.

All of which simply demonstrates why S.I. units are greatly preferred over Imperial units of measure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

Codeine elixir is the worst! I've yet to meet a patient who can tolerate it. Crush a 30 mg pill if the patient can't swallow pills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion