Mass/Time - IV mL Rate Questions
Give an order in quantity of mass per time, determine the necessary IV flow rate
in mL/hr based on the given mass per volume. These types of problems are often
used in critical care nursing.
Formula:
Example: Give patient
500 mg of dopamine in
250 mL of D5W to infuse at
20 mg/hr. Calculate the flow rate in mL/hr.
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x Volume (mL)
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= Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr)
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Example: Aggrastat at
12.5 mg in
250 mL is prescribed to be infused at
a rate of
6 mcg/kg/hr in a patient who
weighs 100 kg. At what flow rate in mL/hr will you set the pump?
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|
x Volume (mL)
|
= Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr)
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The first step is to convert the order per time to the amount required for this
particular patient. This is a Dosage By Weight Question.
100 kg is the weight in kg and
6 mcg/kg/hr is a dosage in terms of kg.
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Weight in Kg * Dosage Per Kg
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= Y (Required Dosage)
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100 kg * 6 mcg/kg/hr
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= 600 mcg/hr
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Convert 600 mcg/hr to mg/hr.
- mcg → mg → g → kg ( ÷ by 1,000 )
- 600 ÷ 1,000 = 0.6 mg/hr
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