A nurse is preparing to administer dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg/day IM to divide equally every 6 hr to a client who weighs 132 lb. Available is dexamethasone 4 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Calculation: Convert the client's weight from pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kg): Formula: Weight in kg = Weight in lbs / 2.2 lbs/kg = 132 lbs / 2.2 lbs/kg = 60 kg Calculate the total daily dose of dexamethasone in milligrams: Ordered daily dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day Client's weight in kg: 60 kg Formula: Total daily dose (mg/day) = Ordered dose (mg/kg/day) × Client's weight (kg) = 0.5 mg/kg/day × 60 kg = 30 mg/day Determine the number of doses per day: Dosing frequency: every 6 hours Number of doses per day = 24 hours/day / 6 hours/dose = 4 doses/day Calculate the dose of dexamethasone to administer per dose: Formula: Dose per administration (mg/dose) = Total daily dose (mg/day) / Number of doses per day = 30 mg/day / 4 doses/day = 7.5 mg/dose Determine the concentration of the available dexamethasone injection: Available concentration: 4 mg/mL Calculate the volume of dexamethasone to administer per dose: Formula: Volume per dose (mL) = Desired dose per administration (mg/dose) / Concentration (mg/mL) = 7.5 mg/dose / 4 mg/mL = 1.875 mL Round the answer to the nearest tenth: 1.875 mL rounded to the nearest tenth is 1.9 mL.