Worked example

Reconstitution — practice problem 3

The prescriber orders 25 mg of ceftriaxone IV. The vial directs: add 5 mL of diluent to yield 50 mg/mL.

Ordered dose25 mg
After reconstitution50 mg/mL
Diluent5 mL

How many milliliters should the nurse draw up?

Answer: 0.5 mL

Step-by-step solution

1. Read the concentration after reconstitution
Add 5 mL diluent → 50 mg per 1 mL
2. Set up dimensional analysis so mg cancels
25 mg × ( 1 mL ÷ 50 mg )
3. Cancel mg and solve
= 25 ÷ 50 mL
= 0.5 mL

More reconstitution examples