A patient is ordered 5 mg of IV Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) to be administered over 60 seconds. The concentration is 1 mg/1 mL.
How many milliliters per minute should the nurse administer to the patient?
A.
0.008 mL
B.
1 mL
C.
5 mL
D.
300 mL
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine how many milliliters per minute the nurse should administer to a patient receiving 5 mg of IV Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate), we need to start with the information provided:
- The ordered dose is 5 mg.
- The concentration of the medication is 1 mg/mL.
- The medication is to be administered over 60 seconds (1 minute).
Step 1: Calculate the volume required for the ordered dose.
Given the concentration of the medication (1 mg/mL), we can calculate the volume needed for 5 mg:Volume (mL)=Dose (mg)Concentration (mg/mL)\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{\text{Dose (mg)}}{\text{Concentration (mg/mL)}}Volume (mL)=Concentration (mg/mL)Dose (mg)
Substituting the values:Volume (mL)=5 mg1 mg/mL=5 mL\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{5 \text{ mg}}{1 \text{ mg/mL}} = 5 \text{ mL}Volume (mL)=1 mg/mL5 mg=5 mL
This means that the nurse needs to administer a total of 5 mL to deliver the ordered dose of 5 mg of Lopressor.
Step 2: Calculate the administration rate.
Since the medication is to be administered over 60 seconds (or 1 minute), the calculation for the administration rate in mL per minute is straightforward:Rate (mL/min)=Total Volume (mL)Total Time (min)\text{Rate (mL/min)} = \frac{\text{Total Volume (mL)}}{\text{Total Time (min)}}Rate (mL/min)=Total Time (min)Total Volume (mL)
Substituting the values:Rate (mL/min)=5 mL1 min=5 mL/min\text{Rate (mL/min)} = \frac{5 \text{ mL}}{1 \text{ min}} = 5 \text{ mL/min}Rate (mL/min)=1 min5 mL=5 mL/min
Therefore, the nurse should administer 5 mL/min of the medication to ensure the full dose is delivered within the specified time frame.
Final Answer: The correct option is C. 5 mL.
This approach ensures that the patient receives the correct dosage of Lopressor in a safe and effective manner. It highlights the importance of accurate calculations in medication administration to prevent underdosing or overdosing, both of which can have significant implications for patient safety and treatment efficacy.