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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A client with a deep vein thrombosis has a prescription for a continuous heparin infusion at 1,200 units/hr1,200\text{ units/hr}. The pharmacy dispenses an intravenous bag containing 25,000 units25,000\text{ units} of heparin mixed in 250 mL250\text{ mL} of 5%5\% dextrose in water (D5W). At what rate should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer as a whole number.

Answer: 12 mL/hr

Answer

12
To determine the correct pump setting in mL/hr\text{mL/hr}, the nurse must first find the concentration of the solution (25,000 units÷250 mL=100 units/mL25,000\text{ units} \div 250\text{ mL} = 100\text{ units/mL}). Then, divide the prescribed dose by the concentration (1,200 units/hr÷100 units/mL=12 mL/hr1,200\text{ units/hr} \div 100\text{ units/mL} = 12\text{ mL/hr}). Alternatively, the formula DesiredHave×Volume\frac{\text{Desired}}{\text{Have}} \times \text{Volume} can be used: 1,200 units25,000 units×250 mL=12 mL/hr\frac{1,200\text{ units}}{25,000\text{ units}} \times 250\text{ mL} = 12\text{ mL/hr}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the concentration of the available heparin solution.
25,000 units250 mL=100 units/mL\frac{25,000\text{ units}}{250\text{ mL}} = 100\text{ units/mL}
Finding the concentration identifies how many units of the medication are present in a single milliliter of the fluid.
2
Calculate the required volume to deliver the prescribed hourly dose.
1,200 units/hr100 units/mL=12 mL/hr\frac{1,200\text{ units/hr}}{100\text{ units/mL}} = 12\text{ mL/hr}
Dividing the desired dose by the concentration yields the required infusion rate on the pump.

Key Concept

Intravenous medication dosage calculation based on concentration
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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