The healthcare provider prescribes enoxaparin 1 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours for a client who weighs 132 pounds. The medication is available in 60 mg/0.6 mL prefilled syringe. How many mL should the nurse administer per day? (Enter numerical value only.)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine the volume of enoxaparin to administer per day, follow these steps:
- Convert the client’s weight from pounds to kilograms:
- Weight in pounds: 132 lbs
- Conversion factor: 1 lb = 0.453592 kg
- Weight in kilograms: 132 lbs×0.453592 kg/lb≈59.87 kg132 \text{ lbs} \times 0.453592 \text{ kg/lb} \approx 59.87 \text{ kg}132 lbs×0.453592 kg/lb≈59.87 kg
- Calculate the dose of enoxaparin in milligrams:
- Dose prescribed: 1 mg/kg
- Weight in kilograms: 59.87 kg
- Dose per administration: 1 mg/kg×59.87 kg=59.87 mg1 \text{ mg/kg} \times 59.87 \text{ kg} = 59.87 \text{ mg}1 mg/kg×59.87 kg=59.87 mg
- Determine the total daily dose:
- The medication is administered every 12 hours, which means the client receives 2 doses per day.
- Total daily dose: 59.87 mg×2=119.74 mg59.87 \text{ mg} \times 2 = 119.74 \text{ mg}59.87 mg×2=119.74 mg
- Find the volume to be administered using the available concentration:
- Concentration of the medication: 60 mg/0.6 mL
- Volume needed for each dose:
- Dose per administration: 59.87 mg
- Concentration: 60 mg/0.6 mL
- Volume per dose: 59.87 mg60 mg×0.6 mL≈0.599 mL\frac{59.87 \text{ mg}}{60 \text{ mg}} \times 0.6 \text{ mL} \approx 0.599 \text{ mL}60 mg59.87 mg×0.6 mL≈0.599 mL
- Calculate the total volume to be administered per day:
- Volume per dose: 0.599 mL
- Number of doses per day: 2
- Total volume per day: 0.599 mL×2≈1.198 mL0.599 \text{ mL} \times 2 \approx 1.198 \text{ mL}0.599 mL×2≈1.198 mL
Thus, the nurse should administer approximately 1.2 mL of enoxaparin per day.
Explanation:
Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin used to prevent and treat thromboembolic disorders. The prescribed dose is based on the client’s weight, and the medication is given subcutaneously every 12 hours. The calculation starts with converting the client’s weight from pounds to kilograms since the dosage is weight-based. After determining the dose per administration, the total daily dose is calculated by multiplying by the number of administrations per day. The volume to be administered is derived from the concentration available in the prefilled syringe. Finally, the total daily volume is obtained by multiplying the volume per dose by the number of doses. This process ensures the correct amount of medication is given to maintain therapeutic efficacy and minimize the risk of complications.