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.) Ans- 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 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.) Ans- 83
Calculate using Volume/Time: 500 ml/6 hours = 83.3 ml/hour
The healthcare provider prescribes a continuous intravenous infusion of dextrose 5% and 0.45% sodium
chloride witth 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.) Ans- 125
Using the formula volume/time: 1000 ml/8 hours = 125 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.) Ans- 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.