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A healthcare provider orders nitroprusside (100 mcg/1 mL) 3 mcg/kg/minute for a patient weighing 154 lb.
What rate (mL/hr) should the nurse program into the IV pump?

A.

1.26 mL/hr

B.

126 mL/hr

C.

1260 mL/hr

D.

12.6 mL/hr

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

To answer this question, we need to calculate the infusion rate in mL per hour by using the following formula²:
 
Infusion rate (mL/h) = Dose (mcg/kg/min) × Weight (kg) × 60 min/h × Volume (mL) / Concentration (mcg/mL)

In this case, the infusion rate is:

Infusion rate (mL/h) = 3 mcg/kg/min × 70 kg × 60 min/h × 250 mL / 2500 mg

We need to convert lb to kg by dividing by 2.2

Infusion rate (mL/h) = 3 mcg/kg/min × (154 lb / 2.2 kg/lb) × 60 min/h × 250 mL / 2500 mg

We need to convert mg to mcg by multiplying by 1000:

Infusion rte (mL/h) = 3 mcg/kg/min × (154 lb / 2.2 kg/lb) × 60 min/h × 250 mL / (2500 mg × 1000 mcg/mg)

We can simplify the equation by canceling out some units and numbers:

Infusion rate (mL/h) = 3 × 154 × 250 / (2.2 × 2500 × 1000)

We can use a calculator to get the final answer:

Infusion rate (mL/h) = 12.6363636363636 mL/h
 


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse should administer 1 mL per dose to the patient.

This answer is correct because it is based on a simple ratio and proportion calculation. The nurse can set up a proportion as follows:

30 mg / 1 mL = 30 mg / x mL

Cross-multiplying and solving for x gives:

x = 1 mL

Therefore, the nurse should administer 1 mL of Toradol injection to deliver 30 mg of the medication to the patient.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse should administer 4 mL to this patient.

This answer is correct because it is based on a simple ratio and proportion calculation. The nurse can set up a proportion as follows:

2 mg / 1 mL = 8 mg / x mL

Cross-multiplying and solving for x gives:

x = 4 mL

Therefore, the nurse should administer 4 mL of ondansetron to deliver 8 mg of the medication to the patient.

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