When administering furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV, how should the nurse give the medication if it comes in 100 mg/10 mL containers?

When administering furosemide (Lasix), it's crucial to calculate the correct volume to achieve the desired dosage safely. Furosemide is supplied at a concentration of 100 mg in 10 mL, which means there are 10 mg of furosemide per 1 mL.

For a dose of 40 mg, you would need to calculate how many mL are required. Since 10 mg is in 1 mL, to get 40 mg, you would need:

40 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 4 mL.

The recommended administration rate for IV furosemide is generally to administer it slowly to minimize the risk of adverse effects such as hypotension. Giving 4 mL over 1 to 2 minutes aligns with safe practice guidelines, allowing for proper delivery while monitoring the patient's response.

Thus, the correct administration route is to give 4 mL of the furosemide solution over 1 to 2 minutes, ensuring both efficacy and patient safety during the treatment.