Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)PharmacologyMedium
A physician orders furosemide 80 mg IV push. The medication label states '20 mg/mL'. How many milliliters should the medical assistant administer?
- A4 mL
- B8 mL
- C2 mL
- D16 mL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 4 mL
To calculate the volume to administer, divide the ordered dose by the concentration on hand: 80 mg (ordered) / 20 mg/mL (concentration) = 4 mL.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This is incorrect; it might result from an error in division or multiplication.
- C. This would be the result if 40 mg was ordered.
- D. This would be the result if 320 mg was ordered.
Liquid Dosage Calculation
Liquid dosage calculation involves determining the correct volume (e.g., mL) of a liquid medication to administer, given the ordered dose and the concentration of the medication on hand.
- Formula: (Ordered Dose / Concentration) = Volume to Administer.
- Ensure units match (e.g., mg/mg/mL).
- Use a syringe for accurate liquid measurement.
Memory trick: Desired Over Have, Volume to Give