Medication Calculation for Furosemide IV Administration
You should administer 0.25 mL of furosemide to deliver the ordered 10 mg IV dose.
Calculation Method
The problem states "available 40ml" which appears to be an error in the question phrasing. Based on standard furosemide IV formulations, the available concentration is 10 mg/mL 1.
Step-by-Step Calculation:
- Ordered dose: 10 mg IV
- Available concentration: 10 mg/mL 1
- Formula: Volume (mL) = Dose needed (mg) ÷ Concentration (mg/mL)
- Calculation: 10 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 1 mL
However, if the question intended to state "available 40 mg/mL" (a non-standard concentration), then:
- 10 mg ÷ 40 mg/mL = 0.25 mL
Clinical Context for Furosemide 10 mg IV
This 10 mg dose is below standard initial dosing recommendations for most acute conditions:
- For acute heart failure: Guidelines recommend an initial IV bolus of 20-40 mg furosemide 2, 3
- For acute pulmonary edema: The recommended dose is 20-80 mg IV 2
- Maximum single doses can range up to 160-200 mg IV in severe heart failure 2
When 10 mg Might Be Appropriate:
- Pediatric dosing (typically 1-2 mg/kg) 4
- Patients with significant renal impairment requiring cautious initiation 2
- Elderly patients at high risk for volume depletion 2
- Dose-finding or test dose scenarios 5
Critical Safety Considerations
- Monitor electrolytes closely, particularly potassium and sodium, as furosemide causes significant electrolyte depletion 2
- Assess renal function before and after administration 2
- Monitor urine output frequently; bladder catheter placement is recommended for accurate assessment 2
- Avoid in hypotension (systolic BP <90 mmHg), severe hyponatremia, or acidosis 2