ABSTRACT
James is lying in bed six hours after surgery to remove his appendix. He is crying and distressed because of the pain. The nurse reassures him before going to check his medication chart. He is prescribed 35mg of Pethidine, PRN Q6h, the ward stock is 2 mL ampoules of 100mg of Pethidine. How much should the nurse give? The nurse needs to decide quickly — James is in discomfort! The nurse must also be accurate: too little and the pain may not be relieved; too much and the consequences could be fatal.
