A nurse must give 1200 mg from a vial supplying 300 mg/3 mL. What volume will the nurse need to administer?

To determine the volume needed to administer 1200 mg when the vial provides 300 mg per 3 mL, the nurse needs to first establish a conversion factor from the concentration provided.

The concentration of the vial can be calculated as follows:

300 mg in 3 mL translates to 100 mg/mL.

Next, to find out how many milliliters are needed for 1200 mg, the nurse can set up the following proportion based on the concentration:

1. Establish the relationship using the concentration:

• For every 100 mg, there are 1 mL required.

2. Now, divide the total amount needed (1200 mg) by the concentration (100 mg/mL):

• 1200 mg ÷ 100 mg/mL = 12 mL.

This shows that in order to administer 1200 mg of the medication, the nurse needs to prepare 12 mL of the solution. Thus, the correct volume to administer is 12 mL.