A client diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis is prescribed a continuous intravenous infu… — NCLEX-RN

A client diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis is prescribed a continuous intravenous infusion of heparin. The client's current weight is $198\text{ lb}$ . The provider's prescription requires an initial infusion rate of $18\text{ units/kg/hr}$ . The available medication is a $250\text{ mL}$ intravenous bag containing $25,000\text{ units}$ of heparin sodium. At what rate in $\text{mL/hr}$ should the nurse program the infusion pump? Record your answer using one decimal place.

Answer: 16.2 mL/hr

Answer

16.2

To determine the correct infusion pump rate, the nurse must accurately convert the client's weight into kilograms, calculate the total hourly unit requirement based on that weight, and divide by the medication's concentration (

100\text{ units/mL}

) to find the correct volume per hour.

Step-by-Step Solution

Convert weight from pounds to kilograms.

198 \div 2.2 = 90\text{ kg}

The medication protocol requires a weight-based dose in kilograms, but the client's weight is provided in pounds.

Calculate the hourly heparin dose.

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

Multiplying the client's weight by the ordered unit rate per kilogram determines the total units needed every hour.

Calculate the volume needed per hour based on the supplied concentration.

1,620\text{ units/hr} \div (25,000\text{ units} / 250\text{ mL}) = 16.2\text{ mL/hr}

Dividing the required units per hour by the concentration of the IV bag (

100\text{ units/mL}

) yields the correct pump setting.

Key Concept

Weight-based continuous intravenous infusion calculations

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