A nurse needs to infuse esmolol to a patient weighing 65 kg. The dose on hand is 2,500 mg esmolol in 250 mL of fluid. The patient requires a dose of 200 mcg/kg/min to control a hypertensive crisis. Which rate should the nurse calculate to infuse this medication? Round to the nearest whole number.
78 mL/hr
105 mL/hr
60 mL/hr
16 mL/hr
The Correct Answer is A
To calculate the infusion rate, we need to convert the patient's weight from kilograms to milligrams.
Patient's weight: 65 kg
Dose required: 200 mcg/kg/min
First, let's calculate the total dose required for the patient per minute: Dose required = 200 mcg/kg/min * 65 kg
= 13,000 mcg/min
Next, we need to convert the dose from micrograms to milligrams:
13,000 mcg/min = 13 mg/min
Now, let's determine the infusion rate. We have 2,500 mg of esmolol in 250 mL of fluid. Therefore, the concentration of esmolol in the fluid is:
Concentration = 2,500 mg / 250 mL
= 10 mg/mL
To find the infusion rate, we divide the dose required by the concentration: Infusion rate = 13 mg/min / 10 mg/mL
= 1.3 mL/mi
Since the options are in mL/hr, we need to convert the rate from mL/min to mL/hr:
1.3 mL/min * 60 min/hr = 78 mL/hr
Therefore, the correct answer is:
a. 78 mL/hr
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
To find the hours to finish the infusion, you need to calculate the following:
- The volume of saline solution in milliliters
- The time in hours using the formula: Time (h) = Total volume (mL) / Infusion rate (mL/h)
First, convert the volume of saline solution from liters to milliliters by multiplying by 1000:
1.5 L x 1000 = 1500 mL
Next, use the formula for time to find how many hours it will take to infuse the saline solution at the current rate:
Time (h) = Total volume (mL) / Infusion rate (mL/h)
Since the total volume is 1500 mL and the infusion rate is 75 mL/h, plug in these values into the formula:
Time (h) = 1500 mL / 75 mL/h
Simplify and solve for the time:
Time (h) = 20 h
Therefore, it will take **20 hours** to finish the infusion at the current rate.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The gt/min is 25.
This answer is correct because it is based on a simple formula and calculation. The nurse should use the following formula to calculate the gt/min:
gt/min = (Volume in mL x Drop factor in gt/mL) / Time in min
Plugging in the given values, the nurse should get:
gt/min = (100 mL x 15 gt/mL) / 60 min
gt/min = 25
Therefore, the gt/min is 25.

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
