A patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is receiving a continuous infusion of Heparin Sodium 20,000 Units in 5% Dextrose Injection 500 mL at the rate of 25 mL/hour. How many units of heparin should the client receive in 12 hours? (Enter numeric value only.)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To calculate how many units of heparin the client will receive in 12 hours, follow these steps:
- Determine the heparin concentration per mL of solution:
- The total amount of heparin is 20,000 units.
- The total volume of solution is 500 mL.
- Therefore, the concentration of heparin is: Heparin concentration=20,000 units500 mL=40 units/mL.\text{Heparin concentration} = \frac{20,000 \, \text{units}}{500 \, \text{mL}} = 40 \, \text{units/mL}.Heparin concentration=500mL20,000units=40units/mL.
- Calculate the amount of heparin the patient receives per hour:
- The infusion rate is 25 mL per hour.
- With 40 units of heparin per mL, the amount of heparin delivered per hour is: Heparin per hour=25 mL/hour×40 units/mL=1,000 units/hour.\text{Heparin per hour} = 25 \, \text{mL/hour} \times 40 \, \text{units/mL} = 1,000 \, \text{units/hour}.Heparin per hour=25mL/hour×40units/mL=1,000units/hour.
- Calculate the total amount of heparin over 12 hours:
- If the patient receives 1,000 units per hour, in 12 hours they will receive: Heparin in 12 hours=1,000 units/hour×12 hours=12,000 units.\text{Heparin in 12 hours} = 1,000 \, \text{units/hour} \times 12 \, \text{hours} = 12,000 \, \text{units}.Heparin in 12 hours=1,000units/hour×12hours=12,000units.
Thus, the patient will receive 12,000 units of heparin in 12 hours.
Explanation:
In this scenario, the patient is receiving heparin through a continuous infusion, a common treatment for conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to prevent the formation of new blood clots and stop existing clots from getting larger. Heparin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting the clotting factors in the blood, reducing the risk of clots in the veins.
The concentration of the heparin solution (40 units/mL) is crucial in determining how much of the drug the patient receives. The infusion rate (25 mL/hour) dictates the volume of the solution administered per hour. Multiplying the volume infused per hour by the concentration gives the dosage of heparin delivered each hour. Multiplying this by the total number of hours (12) gives the total units received over that period, ensuring the patient gets the right therapeutic dose without the risk of under- or overdosing.