Question

A prescription reads clindamycin phosphate 0.3 g in 50 mL normal saline (NS) to be administered intravenously over 30 minutes. The medication label reads clindamycin phosphate 900 mg in 6 mL. The nurse prepares how many milliliters (mL) of the medication to administer the correct dose? Fill in the blank.

Answer 1

1. Required dose :  Clindamycin phosphate 0.3 g [in 50 mL normal saline (NS) to be administered intravenously over 30 minutes].

Dose in hand: Clindamycin phosphate 900 mg in 6 mL.

6ml = 900mg

Convert 0.3 gm to mg first. 1 gm = 1000mg.

0.3 gm = 1000 x 0.3 = 300mg

Let's consider the amount in ml required as 'X'

We need to find Xml = 0.3gm

Xml = 300gm

6ml = 900gm

Apply cross multiplication

900 X = 300 x 6

X = (300 x 6) / 900 = 1800/900 = 2.

X = 2ml

So 2ml of Clindamycin needs to be withdrawn from the vial and added in 50ml of NS for infusion over 30 minutes.