Are Low Doses Of Midazomal Ordered For Palliative Patients?

Posted on Mon, 1 Dec 2014

Question: I'm a home care nurse, one evening I went to see a palliative patient and he had midazomal ordered. On the vial it said to give 0.25 to 1ml every 2 to 3 hours. I prepped a 1ml dose for the family to administer during the night if needed. Two days later I was called in at work to meet with the manage and was told that I had over fill the seringe 5 time more the ordered dose that on their doctors order it said to give 0.5 to 1mg. Now I researched the recommended dose and this seem like to much of a low dose. Would this be possible that a doctor order that? I was sure of what I read on the vial but now my licence is on the line. Also the seringe was no administered to the patient, the morning nurse found the seringe still filled the next day.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is possible!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I understand what it means when in such a situation. I hope you really manage to get out of it.

Yes, a doctor can order such a low dose. Also, you are reporting the amount you gave in ml and not mg. Unless this vial contained 1mg/ml, these two numbers would represent different doses. It is always good to refer to the doctors orders.
Ask for the doctor's orders and if for sure you made a mistake, accept and promise on working on so that it never happens again.

It is for real a difficult situation. I wish you well as you battle this out.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju