A nurse has stock strength 10 mg/mL. If the ordered dose is 2 mg, how many milliliters should be administered?

• A. 0.2 mL
• B. 2 mL
• C. 0.02 mL
• D. 1 mL

Answer: (A)

The key idea is converting a required dose into a volume using the concentration. The medicine is 10 mg per 1 mL, so to get 2 mg you need 2/10 of a milliliter. That equals 0.2 mL. So the correct administered volume is 0.2 mL. Always confirm with the appropriate syringe because 0.2 mL is a small dose.