Chapter 19: Reconstitution of Solutions

COMPLETION

1. Directions: Use the label (where provided) to obtain the necessary information. Round
answers to the nearest tenth where indicated.

Order: cefazolin (Ancef) 0.375 g IM q6h

Available:

a. How many milliliters of diluent will you add for IM use? _____ mL
b. Why will the reconstituted volume be larger than the amount of diluent? __
c. What is the dosage strength of the reconstituted solution? ___________
d. What are the directions for use?
e. How many milliliters will you administer? _____ mL

ANS:

a. 2.5 mL
b. The medication itself adds volume
c. 330 mg per mL
d. For IM or IV use
e. 1.1 mL

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

2. Directions: Use the label (where provided) to obtain the necessary information. Round
answers to the nearest tenth where indicated.
 Order: Zosyn 3 g IV q6h
Available:

a. How many milliliters of diluent should be used to reconstitute the solution? _____ mL
b. What is the dosage strength of the prepared solution? _______________
c. How many milliliters will you add to the IV? _____ mL

ANS:

a. 152
b. 200 mg per mL
c. 15

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

3. Directions: Use the label (where provided) to obtain the necessary information. Round
answers to the nearest tenth where indicated.

Order: Synagis 65 mg IM q8h

Available: Refer to label and package insert
 a.
What diluent is recommended for reconstitution? ___________
b. How much diluent must be added? ____________
c. What is the dosage strength of the reconstituted solution? ______
d. How many milliliters will you administer? ________
e. How long is the reconstituted solution good for? ___________

ANS:

a. Sterile water for injection

b. 1 mL
c. 100 mg per mL
d. 0.7 mL
e. 6 hours

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

4. Directions: Use the label (where provided) to obtain the necessary information. Round
answers to the nearest tenth where indicated.

Order: Vancomycin 0.85 g IV q12h

Available:
 a. How many milliliters of diluent are used to reconstitute the solution? _____ mL
b. What is the dosage strength of the prepared solution? _______________
c. How many milliliters will you add to the IV? _____ mL

ANS:

a. 20
b. 50 mg per mL or 1 g per 20 mL
c. 17

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

5. Directions: Use the label (where provided) to obtain the necessary information. Round
answers to the nearest tenth where indicated.

Order: Ceftriaxone 0.5 g IV q12h

Available:

a. How many milliliters of diluent will you add to reconstitute the solution for IV use? _____
mL
b. What is the dosage strength of the reconstituted solution for IV use? _____
c. How many milliliters will you administer? __________ mL
d. Shade in the dosage on the syringe.

ANS:

a. 19.2 mL
b. 100 mg per mL
c. 5 mL
d.
 PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

6. Directions: Use the label (where provided) to obtain the necessary information. Round
answers to the nearest tenth where indicated.

Order: Amoxicillin clavulanate potassium 275 mg p.o. q12h

Available:

a. How much diluent is recommended for reconstitution? _________

b. What is the dosage strength of amoxicillin when reconstituted? _______
c. What is the total volume of the reconstituted solution? __________
d. How many milliliters will you administer? (based on the amoxicillin) ________

ANS:

a. 87 mL
b. 400 mg per 5 mL
c. 100 mL
d. 3.4 mL

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

7. Directions: Prepare the following strength solutions. Describe your calculations.

800 mL of 3/4 strength Sustacal via gastrostomy over 6 hours

ANS:

3/4 ´ 800 = 600 mL of formula (solute)

 Amount of solution (800 mL) - Amount of solute (600 mL) = Amount needed to dissolve
(200 mL)
Therefore, you will add 200 mL of water to 600 mL of Sustacal to make 800 mL of 3/4
strength Sustacal.

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

8. Directions: Prepare the following strength solutions. Describe your calculations.

1/4 strength Ensure 8 oz p.o. q4h for 24 hours

ANS:

[Note: 8 oz q4h = 6 feedings; 8 oz ´ 6 = 48 oz]

1 oz = 30 mL, therefore 48 oz = 1,440 mL
1/4 ´ 1,440 = 360 mL of the formula (solute)
Amount of solution (1,440 mL) - Amount of solute (360 mL) = Amount needed to dissolve
(1,080 mL)
Therefore, you will add 1,080 mL of water to 360 mL of Ensure to make 1,440 mL of 1/4
strength Ensure.

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

9. Directions: Prepare the following strength solutions. Describe your calculations.

Order: Amoxicillin 175 mg p.o. q8h

Available:

a. Form: _______________
b. Route of administration: _______________
c. Type of diluent and amount to use: _______________
d. Directions for mixing: _______________
e. Dosage strength of reconstituted solution: _____
f. Time good for after reconstitution: _____
g. How many milliliters will you administer? __________
 ANS:

a. Oral suspension when reconstituted

b. By mouth, orally
c. Water, 77 mL
d. Tap bottle to loosen powder, add the water in two portions, shaking well after each addition.
e. 125 mg per 5 mL
f. Discard suspension after 14 days.
g. 7 mL

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

10. Directions: Prepare the following strength solutions. Describe your calculations.

a. What is the total dosage strength of the vial? _____

b. If 450,000 units IV of penicillin were ordered, which concentration would be appropriate to
mix? _____
c. How much diluent must be added to make the appropriate concentration? _____
d. If the medication is reconstituted at 1:00 AM on December 18, what must you print on the
label? _______________
e. How many milliliters will you give to administer 450,000 units IV? _______

ANS:

a. One million units per vial (1,000,000 units per vial)

b. 500,000 units per mL
c. 1.8 mL
d. Exp. 1:00 AM Dec 25
e. 0.9 mL

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

11. Directions: Prepare the following strength solutions. Describe your calculations.

Prepare irrigant 250 mL 1/2 strength solution: ______________________________

ANS:

1/2 ´ 250 mL = 125 mL (solute)

Amount of solution (250 mL) – Amount of solute (125 mL) = Amount needed to dissolve
(125 mL)
 Therefore, you will add 125 mL of water to 125 mL of irrigant to make 250 mL 1/2 strength
irrigant solution.

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

12. Directions: Prepare the following strength solutions. Describe your calculations.

360 mL of 1/4 strength Ensure percutaneous endoscopic (PEG) tube over 4 hours

ANS:

1/4 ´ 360 mL = 90 mL solute

Amount of solvent (360 mL) – Amount of solute (90 mL) = Amount needed to dissolve (270
mL)
Therefore, you will add 270 mL of water to make 1/4 strength Ensure.

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

13. Directions: Indicate how you would prepare each of the following using full-strength
hydrogen peroxide (solute) and normal saline (solvent).

300 mL of 3/4 strength for skeletal pin care

ANS:

3/4 ´ 300 mL = 225 mL (solute)

300 mL – 225 mL = 75 mL (solvent/normal saline)
To make 300 mL of 3/4 strength hydrogen peroxide, mix 225 mL of full-strength hydrogen
peroxide and 75 mL of normal saline.

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

14. Directions: Indicate how you would prepare each of the following using full-strength
hydrogen peroxide (solute) and normal saline (solvent).

8 oz of 1/2 strength for wound care.

ANS:

8 ´ 1/2 = 4 oz (solute)
8 oz – 4 oz = 4 oz (solvent/normal saline)
To make 8 oz of 1/2 strength hydrogen peroxide, mix 4 oz of full-strength hydrogen peroxide
and 4 oz of normal saline.

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions

15. Directions: Indicate how you would prepare each of the following using full-strength
hydrogen peroxide (solute) and normal saline (solvent).

0.24 L of 1/3 strength for wound care

ANS:

Conversion required. 1 L = 1,000 mL, 0.24 L = 240 mL

1/3 ´ 240 mL = 80 mL (solute)
240 mL – 80 mL = 160 mL (solvent/normal saline)
To make 240 mL of 1/3 strength hydrogen peroxide, mix 80 mL of full-strength hydrogen
peroxide and 160 mL of normal saline.

PTS: 1 MSC: Reconstitution of Solutions