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Nitroglycerin 125 mg diluted in 500 mL DSW (dextrose 5% in water) is infusing at a rate of 42 mcg/minute for a patient with chest pain. What rate (in mL/hr) should the nurse program into the IV pump to deliver this dose? Round your answer to the nearest tenth

A.

6.5 mL/hr

B.

9.6 mL/hr

C.

10.1 mL/hr

D.

14.8 mL/hr

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

To calculate the rate in mL/hr for the nitroglycerin infusion, you can use the following formula:

Rate (mL/hr) = (Dose (mcg/min) / Concentration (mcg/mL)) × 60 (min/hr)

Let's plug in the values:

  • Dose (mcg/min) = 42 mcg/min
  • Concentration (mcg/mL) = 125 mg in 500 mL = (125,000 mcg in 500 mL) = 250 mcg/mL

Now, calculate the rate:

Rate (mL/hr) = (42 mcg/min / 250 mcg/mL) × 60 min/hr

Rate (mL/hr) = (0.168 mL/min) × 60 min/hr

Rate (mL/hr) = 10.08 mL/hr

Rounded to the nearest tenth, the nurse should program the IV pump to deliver the nitroglycerin at a rate of 10.1 mL/hr.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

For an intramuscular (IM) injection into the dorsogluteal muscle, a common choice for needle gauge and length is:

21 gauge, 1.5 in. length

Here's the rationale:
Gauge (Thickness of the needle):
A lower gauge number indicates a thicker needle. 21 gauge is a common choice for IM injections because it is thick enough to allow the medication to flow easily, yet not so thick that it causes excessive pain or tissue damage.
Length:
1.5 inches (or 38 mm) is an appropriate length for an IM injection, especially in the dorsogluteal muscle, which usually has sufficient tissue depth to accommodate this length of the needle. It ensures that the medication is delivered deep into the muscle tissue.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

To calculate the rate per hour to administer the loading dose of magnesium sulfate, you need to first find out how much magnesium sulfate is in the 6-gram loading dose, and then determine the rate at which this amount is administered over 30 minutes.


Determine the amount of magnesium sulfate in the 6-gram loading dose:
The physician orders 6 grams of magnesium sulfate.


Determine the volume of lactated Ringer's solution needed to provide 6 grams of magnesium sulfate:
In 1 liter of lactated Ringer's solution, there are 40 grams of magnesium sulfate.

Volume needed = (6 grams / 40 grams per liter) * 1 liter = 0.15 liters or 150 mL


Calculate the rate per hour:
The loading dose needs to be administered over 30 minutes, which is 0.5 hours.

Rate = Volume (in mL) / Time (in hours) = 150 mL / 0.5 hours = 300 mL/hour

So, the rate per hour to administer the loading dose is 300 mL/hr.

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