How much acetaminophen should the nurse administer if the order is 240 mg and the solution available is 160 mg/5 ml?

To determine the correct volume of acetaminophen solution to administer, it is important to apply a dose calculation based on the concentration of the available solution. The solution provided has a concentration of 160 mg per 5 ml.

First, calculate the amount of acetaminophen in 1 ml of the solution:

• 160 mg / 5 ml = 32 mg/ml.

Next, calculate how many milliliters are needed to deliver the ordered dose of 240 mg:

• Divide the desired dose (240 mg) by the concentration (32 mg/ml):

• 240 mg ÷ 32 mg/ml = 7.5 ml.

Therefore, administering 7.5 ml of the solution will provide the correct dose of 240 mg of acetaminophen. This calculation ensures that the patient receives the precise amount of medication as prescribed. Understanding how to manipulate the numbers in this way is critical for safe medication administration in nursing practice.