Answer to Question 1
1.5
The dose ordered is the amount of medication prescribed (e.g., 75 mg). The dose on hand is the dose (e.g., mg, mL, units) of medication supplied by the pharmacy (in this case, a 50-mg solution). The amount on hand is the weight or volume of medication available and supplied by the pharmacy. It appears on the medication label as the contents of a tablet or capsule, or as the amount of medication dissolved per unit volume of liquid. The amount on hand is the basic quantity of the medication that contains the dose on hand. The amount of liquid on hand is often 1 mL or 1 L (in this case, it is 1 mL). The amount to administer (e.g., mL, mg) is always expressed in the same measure as the amount on hand.
Dose ordered Amount on hand = Amount to administer
Dose on hand
75 mg 1 mL = 75 mg = 1.5 mL
50 mg 50 mg
Answer to Question 2
C
Assess neurovascular status 15 minutes after application of skin traction and every 1 to 2 hours for 24 hours, and then extend to every 4 hours if the patient is stabilizing. Ensure that boot size is correct. A traction boot should fit snugly (not too tight or too loose). Too tight leads to pressure on skin, peroneal nerve, and vascular structures. When all traction materials and spreader bars are in place, weights are placed on weight holders and are attached to a loop in the rope. The weights then are lowered slowly and gently until the rope is taut. Traction is established slowly to avoid involuntary muscle spasms or pain for the patient. Shaving may create micro nicks that could become inflamed under traction strips.