A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes insipidus and is receiving vasopressin. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication that the medication is effective?

To calculate the dosage for Dopamine as per the physician's order, we first convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms, knowing that 1 kg equals 2.2 lbs. The client weighs 138.6 lbs, which is approximately 62.9 kg (138.6 lbs / 2.2). Now, using the ordered dose of 2.5 mcg/kg/min, we multiply the client's weight in kg by the dose to find the mcg/min: 62.9 kg * 2.5 mcg/kg/min = 157.25 mcg/min. To find mcg/hr, we multiply this by 60 minutes: 157.25 mcg/min * 60 = 9435 mcg/hr.
Next, we need to calculate mL/hr. We have Dopamine 200 mg in 250 mL, which is 200,000 mcg in 250 mL since 1 mg equals 1000 mcg. This gives us a concentration of 800 mcg/mL (200,000 mcg / 250 mL). To find the mL/hr, we divide the mcg/hr by the concentration: 9435 mcg/hr / 800 mcg/mL = 11.8 mL/hr.
Rounding to the nearest tenth, the final dosages are:
mcg/min: 157.3 mcg/min
mcg/hr: 9435 mcg/hr
mL/hr: 11.8 mL/hr

Rationale:
To calculate the dosage of Nitroprusside in mcg/min, first convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms, knowing that 1 kg equals 2.2 lbs. Therefore, 176 lbs is approximately 80 kg. Next, multiply the client's weight in kg by the dosage rate: 0.5 mcg/kg/min. So, 80 kg * 0.5 mcg/kg/min equals 40 mcg/min. To find mcg/hr, multiply the mcg/min dosage by 60, the number of minutes in an hour, which gives us 2400 mcg/hr. Finally, to calculate mL/hr, use the concentration of the drug: 500 mg in 500 mL. Since 1 mg equals 1000 mcg, 500 mg is 500,000 mcg. Divide the hourly dosage in mcg by the total number of mcg in the available fluid to find the mL/hr. Thus, 2400 mcg/hr divided by (500,000 mcg / 500 mL) results in 2.4 mL/hr. Rounded to the nearest tenth, the final dosages are 40 mcg/min, 2400 mcg/hr, and 2.4 mL/hr.