Dr. Smith orders a gram of human salt poor albumin product for a patient. The product is available in a 50-milliliter vial with a concentration of 25 percent. What dosage will the nurse administer?
A. The nurse should use the entire 50-milliliter vial.
B. The nurse should determine the volume to administer from the physician.
C. This concentration of product should not be used.
D. The nurse will administer 4 milliliters.
Correct Answer: D. The nurse will administer 4 milliliters.
A 25 percent solution contains one-quarter of a gram per milliliter. Thus, the nurse will administer 4 milliliters to provide a complete gram of albumin. It is used to treat or prevent low blood volume, to treat low blood pressure, to replace albumin in people with low blood albumin levels.
Option A: The volume in option 1 would provide 12.5 grams of albumin.
Option B: The nurse should determine the volume. It is unnecessary to seek an answer from the physician.
Option C: A 25 percent solution is an acceptable product and can safely be used.