Intravenous Medications
Lorazepam IVP

1. Identify the prescribed, available, and required medication information

   Prescribed: 4 mg lorazepam / dose   Available: 2 mg lorazepam / mL   Required: mL lorazepam / dose

2. Convert the prescription to the volume of lorazepam in milliliters per dose

   Prescription × available medication = mL lorazepam / dose

   OR

   ( mg lorazepam / dose ) ( mL / mg lorazepam ) = mL lorazepam / dose

   OR

   ( 4 mg lorazepam / dose ) ( mL / 2 mg lorazepam ) = 2 mL lorazepam / dose

3. Add the dilution volume to the medication for total administration volume

   Concentration: 1 mL diluent per 1 mL lorazepam

   OR

   2 mL lorazepam + 2 mL diluent = 4 mL total solution

Educational objective:
To calculate the total administration volume in milliliters of lorazepam, the nurse should first identify the prescribed dose (eg, 4 mg), available medication (eg, 2 mg/mL), and diluent needed (eg, 1 mL diluent per 1 mL lorazepam) and then calculate the total milliliters per dose (eg, 4 mL/dose).