A nurse is preparing to administer a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of heparin for a… — NCLEX-RN

A nurse is preparing to administer a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of heparin for a client diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. The healthcare provider's prescription is for $18 \text{ units/kg/hr}$ . The client's admission weight is $198 \text{ lb}$ . The available IV fluid is heparin $25,000 \text{ units}$ in $250 \text{ mL}$ of $0.45\%$ sodium chloride.

At what rate in $\text{mL/hr}$ should the nurse set the IV infusion pump? (Record your answer using one decimal place.)

Answer: 16.2 mL/hr

Answer

16.2

To determine the correct IV pump rate, first convert the client's weight to kilograms (

198 \text{ lb} \div 2.2 = 90 \text{ kg}

). Next, calculate the hourly heparin dose by multiplying the weight by the prescribed rate (

90 \text{ kg} \times 18 \text{ units/kg/hr} = 1,620 \text{ units/hr}

). Finally, divide the hourly dose by the concentration of the IV solution (

25,000 \text{ units} \div 250 \text{ mL} = 100 \text{ units/mL}

). The final rate is

1,620 \text{ units/hr} \div 100 \text{ units/mL} = 16.2 \text{ mL/hr}

Step-by-Step Solution

Convert the client's weight from pounds (lb) to kilograms (kg).

198 \text{ lb} \div 2.2 = 90 \text{ kg}

The medication is prescribed based on the client's weight in kilograms, so a conversion is necessary before calculating the dose.

Calculate the hourly dose of heparin required in units.

90 \text{ kg} \times 18 \text{ units/kg/hr} = 1,620 \text{ units/hr}

Multiplying the weight by the weight-based prescription provides the total amount of medication needed per hour.

Determine the concentration of the supplied IV heparin solution.

25,000 \text{ units} \div 250 \text{ mL} = 100 \text{ units/mL}

Finding the concentration per milliliter is required to convert the hourly dose from units into a volume (mL).

Calculate the infusion pump rate in mL/hr.

1,620 \text{ units/hr} \div 100 \text{ units/mL} = 16.2 \text{ mL/hr}

Dividing the required hourly dose by the concentration provides the volume to be infused over one hour.

Key Concept

Weight-based intravenous continuous infusion calculation

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