Nokea
A male client who weighs 175 lb (79.4 kg) is receiving aminophylline (Aminophylline) (400 mg in 500 ml) at 50 ml/hour. The theophylline level is reported as 6 mcg/ml. The nurse calls the physician who instructs the nurse to change the dosage to 0.45 mg/kg/hour. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Question the order because it's too low. To determine the correct dosage, calculate the current dosage the client is receiving (400 mg in 500 ml at 50 ml/hour). Then calculate the new dosage using the client's weight (79.4 kg). Comparing the two dosages, if the new order is significantly lower than the current dosage, it may not be appropriate for the client's condition. Therefore, the nurse should question the physician's order to ensure the client is receiving an adequate dose. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the discrepancy in dosage and the need to verify the appropriateness of the new order based on the client's weight and current medication regimen.