A patient in active labor is prescribed oxytocin 12 milliunits/min intravenously (IV). The IV bag contains 5 units of oxytocin in 500 mL of lactated Ringer’s solution.
How many mL/hour should the nurse set the infusion pump to? (Enter numerical value only) .
The Correct Answer is ["0.72"]
Step 1 is to calculate the total amount of oxytocin in the IV bag. This is done by multiplying the total volume of the bag by the concentration of oxytocin. In this case, the bag contains 5 units of oxytocin in 500 mL, so the concentration is 5 units ÷ 500 mL = 0.01 units/mL.
Step 2 is to convert the prescribed dose from milliunits/min to units/hour. There are 1000 milliunits in a unit and 60 minutes in an hour, so 12 milliunits/min = 12 ÷ 1000 units/min = 0.012 units/min. Then, 0.012 units/min × 60 min/hour = 0.72 units/hour.
Step 3 is to calculate the infusion rate in mL/hour. This is done by dividing the prescribed dose in units/hour by the concentration of oxytocin in units/mL. So, 0.72 units/hour ÷ 0.01 units/mL = 72 mL/hour. Therefore, the nurse should set the infusion pump to 72 mL/hour.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a concern in newborns, but it is not the most immediate concern within the first minutes after delivery.
Choice B rationale
While newborns do have certain bleeding tendencies due to immature clotting mechanisms, this is not the immediate priority in the first minutes after birth.
Choice C rationale
The priority issue that the nurse should address to ensure the newborn’s survival is heat loss.
Newborns are at high risk of heat loss and maintaining their body temperature is crucial. This is because they have a large body surface area relative to their weight and their temperature regulation mechanism is not fully developed.
Choice D rationale
Fluid balance is important in newborns, but it is not the immediate concern in the first minutes after birth. The initial focus is on establishing respiration and maintaining body temperature.
Correct Answer is ["0.72"]
Explanation
Step 1 is to calculate the total amount of oxytocin in the IV bag. This is done by multiplying the total volume of the bag by the concentration of oxytocin. In this case, the bag contains 5 units of oxytocin in 500 mL, so the concentration is 5 units ÷ 500 mL = 0.01 units/mL.
Step 2 is to convert the prescribed dose from milliunits/min to units/hour. There are 1000 milliunits in a unit and 60 minutes in an hour, so 12 milliunits/min = 12 ÷ 1000 units/min = 0.012 units/min. Then, 0.012 units/min × 60 min/hour = 0.72 units/hour.
Step 3 is to calculate the infusion rate in mL/hour. This is done by dividing the prescribed dose in units/hour by the concentration of oxytocin in units/mL. So, 0.72 units/hour ÷ 0.01 units/mL = 72 mL/hour. Therefore, the nurse should set the infusion pump to 72 mL/hour.
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