A patient is to receive enalapril (Vasotec) 5 mg IV every 6 hours. Each dose is given over 5 minutes. The medication is available in an injectable form, 1.25 mg/mL. Identify how many milliliters of medication will the nurse draw up for each dose.

To calculate the volume of enalapril to draw up, apply the standard dosage calculation formula: volume = dose desired divided by concentration available. The prescribed dose is 5 mg and the available concentration is 1.25 mg per mL. Dividing 5 mg by 1.25 mg/mL yields 4 mL. This straightforward calculation confirms the keyed answer. It is important to verify the concentration on the medication label before drawing up any injectable medication, as enalaprilat (the injectable form of enalapril) is indeed available at 1.25 mg/mL. At this concentration, delivering 4 mL provides exactly the 5 mg ordered dose. The administration over 5 minutes is a rate consideration rather than a volume calculation, and does not affect how many milliliters are drawn into the syringe. Common errors students make include inverting the formula or using incorrect units. Always ensure that units are consistent — both the ordered dose and the available concentration are in milligrams — before performing the division. In clinical practice, double-checking with a second nurse and using a medication administration record are additional safety steps that prevent dosage errors, particularly with high-alert medications such as intravenous antihypertensives like enalaprilat.