A client with a severe exacerbation of asthma is admitted to the emergency department. The… — NCLEX-RN

A client with a severe exacerbation of asthma is admitted to the emergency department. The healthcare provider prescribes an intravenous loading dose of aminophylline $5\text{ mg/kg}$ to be infused over $30\text{ minutes}$ . The client weighs $154\text{ lbs}$ . The pharmacy dispenses aminophylline $500\text{ mg}$ mixed in $500\text{ mL}$ of $5\%$ dextrose in water (D5W). At what rate in $\text{mL/hr}$ should the nurse program the infusion pump?

Answer: 700 mL/hr

Answer

700

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

154\text{ lbs} \div 2.2 = 70\text{ kg}

). Next, calculate the dose (

70\text{ kg} \times 5\text{ mg/kg} = 350\text{ mg}

). Since the medication is supplied as

500\text{ mg}

500\text{ mL}

1\text{ mg/mL}

concentration), the total volume needed is

350\text{ mL}

. Finally, to find the hourly rate for a

30\text{-minute}

(

0.5\text{ hour}

) infusion, divide the volume by the time in hours (

350\text{ mL} \div 0.5\text{ hr} = 700\text{ mL/hr}

Step-by-Step Solution

Convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms.

70\text{ kg}

Weight-based dosages require the client's weight to be expressed in kilograms (

154 \div 2.2 = 70

Calculate the total required dose of aminophylline in milligrams.

350\text{ mg}

Multiply the prescribed dose by the client's weight in kilograms (

5\text{ mg/kg} \times 70\text{ kg} = 350\text{ mg}

Determine the required fluid volume in milliliters to deliver the calculated dose.

350\text{ mL}

The supplied concentration is

500\text{ mg}

500\text{ mL}

, which simplifies to

1\text{ mg/mL}

. Therefore, a

350\text{ mg}

dose is contained in a volume of

350\text{ mL}

Calculate the infusion pump rate in milliliters per hour (

\text{mL/hr}

700\text{ mL/hr}

The

350\text{ mL}

volume must be infused over

30\text{ minutes}

, which is

0.5\text{ hours}

. Divide the volume by the time in hours to find the hourly rate (

350\text{ mL} \div 0.5\text{ hours} = 700\text{ mL/hr}

Key Concept

Weight-based intravenous medication dosage calculation and infusion pump rate programming.

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