A client admitted with a pulmonary embolism has a new prescription for a continuous intrav… — NCLEX-RN

A client admitted with a pulmonary embolism has a new prescription for a continuous intravenous heparin infusion at $18\text{ units/kg/hr}$ . The client weighs $187\text{ lbs}$ . The pharmacy dispenses a premixed bag containing $25,000\text{ units}$ of heparin in $500\text{ mL}$ of $0.9\%$ sodium chloride. At what rate in $\text{mL/hr}$ should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Round the final answer to the nearest whole number.)

Answer: 31 mL/hr

Answer

To find the correct infusion rate, first convert the weight to kilograms (

187 \div 2.2 = 85\text{ kg}

). Next, multiply the weight by the prescribed dose to find the hourly requirement (

85\text{ kg} \times 18\text{ units/kg/hr} = 1530\text{ units/hr}

). Then, divide the total units in the bag by the total volume to find the concentration (

25,000\text{ units} \div 500\text{ mL} = 50\text{ units/mL}

). Finally, divide the hourly requirement by the concentration to find the rate in mL/hr (

1530 \div 50 = 30.6\text{ mL/hr}

) and round to the nearest whole number (

31\text{ mL/hr}

Step-by-Step Solution

Convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms.

187\text{ lbs} \div 2.2 = 85\text{ kg}

The prescription is weight-based using the metric system.

Calculate the target hourly dose.

85\text{ kg} \times 18\text{ units/kg/hr} = 1530\text{ units/hr}

To determine how much medication the client needs per hour based on their body weight.

Determine the concentration of the IV solution.

25,000\text{ units} \div 500\text{ mL} = 50\text{ units/mL}

To find out how many units are contained in a single milliliter of the provided IV fluid.

Calculate the required volume to be infused per hour.

1530\text{ units/hr} \div 50\text{ units/mL} = 30.6\text{ mL/hr}

To determine the exact rate for the infusion pump before rounding.

Round the result to the nearest whole number.

31\text{ mL/hr}

The prompt specifies to round the final answer to the nearest whole number, as is standard for most adult IV infusion pumps.

Key Concept

Weight-Based Intravenous Medication Dosage Calculation

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