HESI Dosage Calculations Practice Questions
An IV infusion of dextrose 5% in normal saline with oxytocin (Pitocin) 20 units in 1,000 ml is prescribed for a client to control postpartum bleeding. The solution is to be administered at a rate of 2 mu/minute. The nurse should program the infusion pump to administer how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
6 First calculate the number of units/hour. 0.002 units/minute x 60 minutes = 0.12 units/hour. Next calculate the number of ml/hour needed to administer 0.12 units/hour. 20 units : 1,000 ml :: 0.12 units : X 20/0.12 :: 1,000/X 20X : 120 X = 6
A healthcare provider prescribes a continuous infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride with pancuronium (Pavulon) 25 mg/250 ml at a rate of 0.1 mg/kg/hr for a client with coronary artery bypass grafting. The client weighs 78 kg. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.
78 First calculate the number of mg the client will receive in 1 hour: 0.1 mg x 78 kg = 7.8 mg/hour. Next calculate the number of ml containing 7.8 mg of medication: 25 mg : 250 ml :: 7.8 mg : X 25 mg/ 7.8 mg :: 250 ml/X 25X = 1950 X = 78 ml/hour.
A client receives a prescription for an intravenous infusion 0.45% sodium chloride 500 ml to be infused over 6 hours. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
83 Calculate using Volume/Time: 500 ml/6 hours = 83.3 ml/hour
A client with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is receiving an infusion of 5 % dextrose in water with amikacin (Amikin) 0.572 grams/100 ml every 12 hours. The nurse prepares the dose of amikacin using a vial labeled, 250 mg/ml. How many ml should the nurse add to the infusion? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
2.3 First convert gram to milligram: 1 gm = 1000mg .572 gram x 1000 = 572 mg. Next use the formula D/H x Q: 572/250 x 1 = 2.288 (rounded to) 2.3 ml.
The healthcare provider prescribes a continuous intravenous infusion of dextrose 5% and 0.45% sodium chloride with KCl 20 mEq/1000 ml to be delivered over 8 hours. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
125 Using the formula volume/time: 1000 ml/8 hours = 125 ml/hour
A client is receiving Heparin Sodium 25,000 Units in 5% Dextrose Injection 500 ml IV at 1,000 unit/hour per protocol for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The client's partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is 76 seconds. Based on the ACS protocol, the infusion should be decreased by 100 units/hour for a PTT between 71 to 80 seconds. The nurse should program the pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.)
18 Adjust the infusion to 900 units/hour (1,000 units/hour minus 100 units/hour per protocol). Using the formula, D/H x Q, 900 units/1 hour divided by 25,000 units x 500 ml = 90/5= 18 ml/hour.
A client with pericardial effusion has phrenic nerve compression resulting in recurrent hiccups. The healthcare provider prescribes metoclopramide (Reglan) liquid 10 mg PO q 6 hours. Reglan is available as 5 mg/5 ml. A measuring device marked in teaspoons is being used. How many teaspoons should the nurse administer?
2 First, using the formula, Desired dose/dose on Hand x Quantity of volume on hand (D/H x Q), 10 mg / 5 mg x 5ml = 10 ml. Next using the known conversion of 5 ml = 1 tsp: 5 ml : 1 tsp :: 10 ml : X 5 / 10 : 1 / X 5X = 10 X = 2
A client with septic shock receives a prescription for dextrose 5% in water with dopamine (Intropin) 0.6 grams/250 ml at a rate of 5 mcg/kg/minute. The client's weight is 148 lbs. The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
8 First convert the weight into kilograms: 148 pounds/2.2 kg = 67 kg. Next calculate the number of mcg/kg/minute: 5 x 67 x 1 minute = 335 mcg/min. Calculate the number of mcg/hour: 335 x 60 minutes = 20,100 mcg/hour. Now calculate the number of ml/hour needed to administer 20,100 mcg/hour: 600,000 mcg : 250 ml :: 20,100 mcg : X ml 600,000/20100 :: 250/X 600,000X = 5,02500 X = 8.375 (rounded to) 8 ml/hour.
The nurse is preparing the change-of-shift report for a client who has a 265 ml secondary infusion that was started 2 hours ago at a rate of 85 ml/hour via an infusion pump. The nurse should report that how many ml remain to be infused by the on-coming nurse? (Enter numeric value only.)
95 85 ml x 2 hours = 170 ml has infused. 265 ml (total amount to be infused) - 170 ml (amount infused) = 95 ml remain to be infused.
A client returns to the nursing unit from surgery with a prescription for Lactated Ringer's solution 1,000 ml to be infused over 10 hours. The IV administration set delivers 60 gtts/ml. The nurse should regulate the infusion to deliver how many gtts/minute?
100 First convert hours to minutes: 10 hrs x 60 = 600 minutes. Using the formula Volume/Time x drop factor: 1000 ml /600 minutes = 1.66666 x 60 = 100 gtts minute.
A client experiencing cardiogenic shock receives a prescription for an IV infusion of 0.9% normal saline with milrinone (Primacor) 10 mg in 100 ml at a rate of 46 mcg/minute. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
28 First calculate the number of mcg/hour: 46 mcg x 60 minutes = 2760 mcg/hour. Next calculate the number of ml/hour needed to administer 2760 mcg/hour: 10,000 mcg : 100 ml :: 2760 mcg : X 10,000 / 2760 :: 100 / X 10,000X = 276000 X = 27.6 (rounded to) 28 ml/hour.
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at the rate of 3 mcg/kg/minute. The solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml of D5W. The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
11.3 First, convert pounds to kg, 220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg = 100 kg. Next, calculate the dosage per minute, 3 mcg/kg/min x 100 kg = 300 mcg/min. Convert mcg/min to mcg/hour, 300 mcg/min x 60 min=18,000 mcg/hour. Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour, 18,000 mcg/hr = 18.0 mg/hour. Calculate the rate, 400 mg : 250 ml = 18 mg : X ml 400X = 4500 X = 11.25 = 11.3 ml. So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
The healthcare provider prescribes a continuous infusion of 5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium chloride at 85 ml/hour. The IV administration set delivers 10 gtt/ml. The nurse should regulate the drop rate to deliver how many gtts/minute? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
14 Volume/Time (minutes) x drop factor (gtt/ml) = 85 ml/ 60 minutes x 10 gtt/ml = 14.16 = 14 gtt/minute
A client who has a sinus infection is receiving a prescription for amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (Augmentin) 500 mg PO q8 hours. The available form is 250 mg amoxicillin/125mg clavulanate tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer for each dose? (Enter numeric value only.)
2 Using Desired/Available formula: 500 mg/250 mg x 1 tablet = 2
A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving a dopamine solution of 800 mg/500 ml normal saline at 5 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
1.9 To change ml/hour to mcg/kg/minute, use the formula: desired rate (5 ml/hour) / volume available (500 ml) x dose available (800 mg) = 8 mg/hour. Next, convert milligrams/hour to mcg/kg/minute: mg (8) x 1000 / kg (70) / 60 minutes = 1.904 = 1.9 mcg/kg/minute.
A client's daily PO prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased from 15 mg to 30 mg. The medication is available in 15 mg tablets, and the client already received one tablet today. How many additional tablets should the nurse administer so the client receives the total newly prescribed dose for the day? (Enter numeric value only.)
1 30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still needs to be administered. Using the Desired/Have formula: 15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet
The nurse is preparing to administer 0.25 mg of bumetanide (Bumex) IV. The medication is available in a vial labeled 1 mg/4 ml. How many ml of medication should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
1 Using the Desired/Have x Volume formula: Desired = 0.25 mg Have = 1 mg Volume = 4 ml 0.25 mg/1 mg x 4 ml = 1 ml
A client scheduled for surgery is to receive an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride with prochlorperazine edisylate (Compazine) 10 mg/50 ml over 30 minutes. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.)
100 Calculate: 50 ml : 30 minutes :: X ml : 60 minutes 50/X :: 30/60 3000 = 15X X = 100 ml
The nurse is administering a 250 milliliter (ml) intravenous solution to be infused over 2 hours. How many ml/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only.)
125 250 ml : 2 hours = X ml : 1 hour 250 = 2X X = 250 divided by 2 = 125 ml/hr
A child with a urinary tract infection is receiving Cephalexin (Keflex) 100 mg suspension PO QID. Keflex oral suspension is labeled 125 mg in 5 ml. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
4 Using the formula Desired/Have available x Quantity: 100/125 x 5 = 500/125 = 4 ml
At the end of the shift, the nurse is recording the fluid balance for a client receiving a continuous gastrostomy tube (GT) feeding. Based on the client's records, how many ml should the nurse record for the total fluid balance (intake - output) for the shift that started at 0700 and ended at 1900? (Enter numeric value only.) (Click on each image asset for additional information.)
695 The tube feeding is administered at 75 ml/hour for 11 hours (0700 - 1800) and then turned off for one hour because the residual is greater than 200 ml. 11 hours x 75 ml/hr = 825 ml. Three doses of 20 ml of medication are administered, with 10 ml of water used to flush the GT before and after each dose. 20 ml x 3 doses = 60 ml; 10 ml (flush) x 2 x 3 doses = 60 ml; so 825 ml + 60 ml + 60 ml = 945 ml. 250 ml of residual is removed and not replaced. 945 ml - 250 ml = 695 ml total fluid balance (Intake - output).
A client with multiple sclerosis is prescribed Dantrolene (Dantrium) 0.1 grams PO BID for spasticity. Dantrolene is available in 100 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
1 Using the conversion of 1 gram = 1000 mg: 0.1 gram = 100 mg 100 mg = 1 capsule
The healthcare provider prescribes trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim-DS Oral Suspension) 120 mg BID for a child with bronchitis. The Bactrim bottle is labeled 200 mg/5ml. How many ml should the nurse administer at each dose? (Enter numeric value only.)
3 Using the formula D/H x Q, 120/200 x 5 = 3 ml
The nurse notes that a client is receiving an oxytocin (Pitocin) infusion via a pump that is programmed to deliver 30 ml/hour. The available solution is Ringer's Lactated 1,000 ml with Pitocin 20 units. How many milliunits/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only.)
10 Convert units to milliunits, 20 x 1,000 = 20,000 units. Using D/H x Q = 30 ml/hour X/20,000 units x 1,000 ml = 30 ml/hour (60 minutes) X/20 =30/60, reduce X/2 = 1/2, and 2X = 20, so X = 10 milliunits/minute OR 20/1,000 = 0.02 1000 : 0.02 :: 30 : X = 0.6 :: 1,000X X = 600 and 600/60 = 10 milliunits/minute.
A loading dose of acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) 8 grams, which is available as a 20% solution (200 mg acetylcysteine per ml) is prescribed by nasogastric tube for a client with acetaminophen toxicity. How many ml of diluent should be added to the medication to obtain a 1:4 concentration? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
120 8 grams = 8,000 mg prescribed dose. Using the formula, D/H x Q, 8,000 mg / 200 mg x 1 ml = 40 ml of the 20% solution. Dilute the 40 ml to a 1:4 concentration for administration using ratio and proportion, 1 : 4 solution :: 40 ml : X X= 160 ml total volume to administer. Subtract total volume of 160 ml - 40 ml of 20% concentration = 120 ml diluent is added to obtain a 1:4 concentration.
A 180-pound adult male is admitted to the Emergency Center after receiving thermal burns to 60 percent of his body. Using the Parkland formula of 4 ml/kg/24 hours, the client should receive how many ml of fluid during the first 24 hours? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
19632 Using the Parkland formula, the client's fluid requirements for the first 24 hours after injury: 4 ml lactated Ringer's solution x Body weight (in kilograms) x Percent burn. Convert 180 pounds to kg = 180 / 2.2 = 81.8 kg 4 ml x 81.8 kg x 60 = 19632 ml over the first 24 hours.
A male client receives a prescription for ondansetron hydrochloride (Zofran) 4 mg IV to prevent postoperative nausea after an inguinal hernia repair. The medication is available in 2 mg/ml. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
2 Use ratio and proportion, 4 mg : X ml = 2 mg : 1 ml 2X = 4 X = 2
A client is receiving dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) PO for malignant hyperthermia. The maximum safe dose is 8 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses. The client currently weighs 48.5 kg. What is the maximum safe dose the nurse should administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
97 Determine the maximum number of mg this client should receive in a day: 48.5 kg x 8 mg/kg/day = 388 mg/day. Next determine how many mg the nurse should deliver each dose: 388 mg/4 doses = 97 mg.
A client who has a gastrostomy feeding tube is receiving 3/4 strength Ensure 240 ml every 6 hours. Full strength Ensure is available in a 240 ml can. The nurse should use how many ml of Ensure to prepare the feeding? (Enter numeric value only. If needed, round to the nearest whole number.)
180 240 ml Ensure : 1 :: X ml Ensure : 0.75 240/X : 1 / 0.75 X = 240 x 0.75 = 180 ml Ensure + 60 ml water = 240 ml
A child who weighs 55 pounds receives a prescription for atovaquone with proguanil (Malarone Pediatric) 125 mg/50 mg PO daily. A drug reference states that children 11 to 20 kg should receive 1 pediatric tablet daily; 21 to 30 kg should receive 2 pediatric tablets daily; 31 to 40 kg should receive 3 pediatric tablets daily; and greater than 40 kg should receive 1 adult tablet daily with food. The drug is available as atovaquone 62.5 mg/proguanil 25 mg pediatric tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
2 Calculate each drug component dose, using the formula, D/H 125 mg / 62.5 mg (atovaquone) = 2 combined with 50 mg / 25 mg (proguanil) = 2. The child should receive 2 tablets.
A client with type 2 diabetes is receiving metformin (Glucophage) 1 gram PO twice daily. The medication is available in 500 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
2 Using the known equivalent, 1 gram = 1000 mg, the nurse should first convert the dose to the same unit of measurement, which is 1 gram = 1000 mg. Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 tablets: 1000 mg / 500 mg x 1 = 2 tablets
A client receives a prescription for azithromycin (Zithromax) 500 mg PO x 3 days. Azithromycin is available as 250 mg scored tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose? (Enter numeric value only.
2 Using the formula, D/H 500 mg/250 mg = 2 tablets
0.9% normal saline with inamrinone (Inocor) 0.1 grams/100 ml is prescribed for a client with heart failure. The medication is to be delivered at a rate of 400 mcg/minute. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
24 First calculate the number of mcg/hour: 400 mcg x 60 minutes = 24000 mcg/hour. Next calculate the number of ml/hour needed to administer 24,000 mcg/hour: 100,000 mcg: 100ml :: 24,000 mcg : X 100,000/24,000 :: 100/X 100,000X = 2,400,000 X = 24 ml/hour.
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving an infusion of nitroprusside (Nipride) 50 mg in D5W 250 ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
3.5 Calculate the mg/hour infusing, 50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml 250X = 3750 and X = 15 mg/hour. Next, convert mg/hr to mcg/hour, 15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000 mcg/hour, then divide by 60 min = 250 mcg/minute. Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min = 3.45 = 3.5 mcg/kg/minute.
A client is receiving alprazolam (Xanax) 0.75 mg PO BID for anxiety. Alprazolam is available in 0.5 mg scored tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
1.5 Using the conversion of 1 gram = 1000 mg: 0.1 gram = 100 mg 100 mg = 1 capsule
A client is receiving an IV solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (Normal Saline) 250 ml with amiodarone (Cordarone) 1 gram at 17 ml/hour. How many mg/minute of amiodarone is infusing? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
Convert grams to mg, 1 gram equals 1,000 mg. Using ratio and proportion - 1,000 mg : 250 ml :: X mg : 1ml 250X= 1,000 so X = 4 mg/ml is the solution concentration of amiodarone. The infusion rate (ml/hour) x concentration (mg/ml) divided by 60 minutes/hour 17 ml/hour x 4 mg/ml = 68/60 = 1.13 = 1.1 mg/minute.
The healthcare provider prescribes acetazolamide (Diamox) 600 mg/m2/day divided into 3 doses. The nurse calculates the child's body surface area (BSA) as 0.7 m2. How many mg should the child receive per dose? (Enter numeric value only.)
140 Using the child's BSA, 0.7 m2, calculate the mg/dose, 600 mg x 0.7 m2 = 420 mg/day/3 doses = 140 mg/dose
The nurse is preparing to administer Hepatitis B Vaccine, Recombinant (Energix-B) 5 mcg IM to a school-aged child. The vaccine is labeled, 10 mcg/ml. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth).
1 or 0.5 Use ratio and proportion, 5 mcg : X ml :: 10 mcg : 1ml 10X = 5 X = 0.5 ml
A client with hypertension receives a prescription for carteolol (Cartel) 7.5 mg PO daily. The drug is available in 2.5 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
3 Using D/H: 7.5 mg / 2.5 mg = 3 tablets
The healthcare provider prescribes oxytocin (Pitocin) 0.5 milliunits/minute for a client in labor. One liter Ringer's Lactate with 10 units of oxytocin (Pitocin) is infusing. The nurse should program the infusion pump at how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.)
3 Using the formula, D/H x Q, 0.5 milliunits / 10,000 milliunits x 1000 ml = 0.05 ml/minute. Multiply by 60 minutes = 3 ml/hour.
A client who has AIDS is receiving octreotide (Sandostatin) 1,200 mcg by subcutaneous injection every day for symptoms of diarrhea. Octreotide is available for injection in 1 mg/ml vials. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
1 or 1.2 First, to convert micrograms to milligrams, divide the number of micrograms by 1000: 1,200/1000 = 1.2 mg. Using the Desired/Have available formula: 1.2 mg/1 mg x 1 ml = 1.2 ml.
A client who weighs 176 pounds is receiving an IV infusion with esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc) at 48 ml/hour. The IV solution is labeled with the concentration of Brevibloc 10 mg/ml. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only.)
100 Convert pounds to kg by dividing 176 pounds by 2.2 pounds = 80 kg. Convert the IV concentration from mg to mcg. 1 mg : 1000 mcg :: 10 mg : 10,000 mcg. Infusion rate (48 ml/hour) x concentration (10,000 mcg/ml) divided by 60 minutes/hour x 80 kg = 48 x 10,000 divided by 60 x 80 = 480,000 / 4800 = 100 mcg/kg/minute.
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV solution of 5% dextrose in water with magnesium sulfate 4 gram/50 ml to be infused over 30 minutes for a client with preeclampsia. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
100 To calculate the rate of infusion for ml/hour: 50 ml: 30 minutes :: X ml : 60 minutes 50 ml / X ml :: 30 min / 60 min 3000 = 30X X = 100 ml/hour
A client has a prescription for inamrinone (Inocor) 0.75 mg/kg IV bolus to be delivered over 3 minutes. The client weighs 80 kg. Inamrinone is available for injection 100 mg/20 ml. How many ml of inamrinone should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
12 First calculate the mg/kg dosage needed: 0.75 mg x 80 kg = 60 mg needed. Then calculate Desired / Have x ml 60 mg / 100 mg x 20 ml = 12 ml.
A client with a gastrostomy tube (GT) receives a prescription for Osmolite® 1/2 strength enteral formula at 80 ml/hour. To prepare a 4 hour solution, the nurse should dilute the full-strength formula with how many ml of water? (Enter numeric value only.)
160 Determine the total volume needed at 80 ml/hour x 4 hours = 320 ml. Use the formula, Desired strength/strength on Hand x Volume = 50/100 x 320 = 160 ml of Osmolite® enteral formula, which must be diluted to half strength. Or use ratio and proportion, Desired strength (1/2 = 1 part : 2 parts) :: Volume of full strength : Total Desire volume 1 : 2 :: X : 320 ml 2X = 320, and X = 160 ml of Osmolite® enteral formula, full strength 320 ml total volume - 160 ml of full-strength formula = 160 ml of water to create 1/2 strength or 50% concentration.
The healthcare provider prescribes acetaminophen elixir (Tylenol elixir) 600 mg PO q6 hours for an adult client experiencing pain associated with maxillofacial surgery. The bottle is labeled 500 mg/15 ml. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
18 Using the formula D/H x Q: 600 mg/500mg x 15 ml = 18 ml
Docusate sodium (Colace) 0.3 grams is prescribed for a client who has frequent constipation. Each capsule contains 100 mg. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
3 Using the known equivalent, 1 gram = 1000 mg, the nurse should first convert the dose to the same unit of measurement, which is 0.3 gram = 300 milligram. Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 capsule = 300/100 x 1 = 3 capsules.
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride with 40 mEq KCl/500 ml to infuse over 3 hours for a client with hypokalemia. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
167 To determine ml/hour: 500 ml : 3 hours :: as X ml : 1 hour 500/X :: 3/1 500 = 3X X = 166.66 (rounds to)= 167 ml/hour.
A child who is scheduled for a kidney transplant receives a prescription for basiliximab (Simulect) 20 mg IV 2 hours prior to surgery. The medication is available in a 20 mg vial that is reconstituted by adding 5 ml sterile water for injection, and administered in a 50 ml bag of normal saline over 30 minutes. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.
110 After reconstituting the medication vial, the nurse adds the 5 ml of medication to the 50 ml of sterile water to result in a 55 ml volume to infuse in 30 minutes. Using the formula, Volume/Time = 55 ml / 0.5 hours = 110 ml/hour
A client who had mitral valve replacement surgery receives a prescription for dextrose 5% in water with 0.5 grams of dobutamine in 250 ml for IV infusion at a rate of 5 mcg/kg/minute. The client weighs 75 kg. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hr? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
11.3 First calculate the number of mcg/kg/minute: 5 x 75 = 375 mcg/minute. Calculate the number of mcg/hour: 375 x 60 minutes = 22,500 mcg/hour. Next calculate the number of ml/hour needed to administer 22,500 mcg/hour: 500,000 mcg : 250 ml :: 22,500 mcg/ X ml 500,000X = 5,625,000 X = 11.25 (rounded to 11.3 ml/hour).
