The healthcare provider (HCP) changes a prescription for a nitroglycerin IV infusion from 10 mcg/min to 15 mcg/min. The IV bag contains nitroglycerin 50 mg in dextrose 5% in water (DW) 250 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
The Correct Answer is ["5"]
Calculation:
Calculate the New Nitroglycerin Dose in mcg/hour
Dose (mcg/hour) = Dose (mcg/min) × 60 min/hour
=15 mcg/min × 60 min/hour = 900 mcg/hour
Convert mcg to mg
Dose (mg/hour) = Dose (mcg/hour) / 1000 mcg/mg
=900 mcg/hour / 1000 mcg/mg
= 0.9 mg/hour
Calculate the Concentration of Nitroglycerin in the IV Bag
Concentration (mg/mL) = Total mg of Nitroglycerin / Total mL of Solution
=50 mg / 250 mL
= 0.2 mg/mL
Calculate the Infusion Rate = Infusion Rate (mL/hour)
=0.9 mg/hour / 0.2 mg/mL
= 4.5 mL/hour
Round to the Nearest Whole Number
4.5 mL/hour rounded to 5 mL/hour
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Respiratory rate of 26 breaths/minute. A respiratory rate ≥22 breaths/minute meets the SIRS criteria and indicates systemic inflammation or respiratory distress. In pneumonia, increased breathing effort may result from hypoxia or infection-related metabolic demands. Persistent tachypnea suggests worsening sepsis and requires urgent intervention.
B. Heart rate of 112 beats/minute. A heart rate ≥90 beats/minute is a SIRS criterion, often caused by infection, hypoxia, or systemic inflammation. In pneumonia, tachycardia may result from fever, pain, or compensatory mechanisms due to decreased oxygenation. An elevated heart rate in sepsis may indicate progressing hemodynamic instability.
C. Temperature of 96.1° F (35.6°C). Hypothermia (<96.8°F/36°C) is a SIRS criterion and may indicate severe sepsis or systemic inflammatory response. While fever is a common response, low temperature suggests immune system dysfunction. Hypothermia in sepsis is linked to poor prognosis and increased mortality risk.
D. White blood count of 14,000/mm³ (14 x 10⁹/L). A WBC >12,000/mm³ or <4,000/mm³ meets SIRS criteria and indicates infection-related immune activation. Elevated WBCs suggest an active inflammatory response to pneumonia. A rising WBC count may indicate worsening infection or ineffective immune control.
E. Hemoglobin of 12.8 gram/dL (7.94 mmol/L). Hemoglobin levels within the normal range (12-16 g/dL) do not indicate SIRS or sepsis progression. While anemia can develop in chronic illness or bleeding, this value does not contribute to SIRS classification. Monitoring oxygenation and perfusion is more relevant in pneumonia cases.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Place a cooling blanket on the client. A temperature of 100°F (37.8°C) is only mildly elevated and does not require active cooling. The priority concern is hemodynamic instability due to hypovolemia, not fever management. Cooling blankets are typically used for high fevers (≥ 102°F or 38.9°C).
B. Administer an antipyretic agent. While fever may indicate postoperative infection or inflammatory response, the client’s most critical issue is hypotension and low urine output, suggesting hypovolemia or early shock. Treating the underlying cause (fluid loss) is more urgent than giving an antipyretic.
C. Give a 500 mL IV fluid bolus challenge. The client has tachycardia (132 bpm), hypotension (88/65 mm Hg), and oliguria (10 mL/hour), all of which suggest hypovolemic shock, a common postoperative complication. A fluid bolus (typically 500–1000 mL of isotonic crystalloid such as normal saline or lactated Ringer’s) is the first-line treatment to restore intravascular volume, improve blood pressure, and increase urine output.
D. Titrate IV vasopressor for systolic less than 80. Vasopressors (e.g., norepinephrine) are not the first-line treatment for hypovolemic shock. Fluids should be administered first to correct volume loss before considering vasopressors. If hypotension persists despite adequate fluid resuscitation, vasopressors may be initiated.
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