Nitroglycerin 125 mg diluted in 500 mL D5W (dextrose 5% in water) is infusing at a rate of 42 mcg/minute for a patient with chest pain. What rate (in mL/hr) should the nurse program into the IV pump to deliver this dose?
Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
A.
0.65 mL/hr
B.
9.6 mL/hr
C.
10.1 mL/hr
D.
14.8 mL/hr
The correct answer and Explanation is :
To determine the correct infusion rate in mL/hr for nitroglycerin, follow these steps:
- Determine the Total Dose of Nitroglycerin in the Infusion: The solution contains 125 mg of nitroglycerin in 500 mL of D5W. Convert the dose from milligrams to micrograms: [
125 \text{ mg} = 125 \times 1000 \text{ mcg} = 125,000 \text{ mcg}
] So, there are 125,000 mcg of nitroglycerin in 500 mL of D5W. - Calculate the Concentration of Nitroglycerin in the Solution: To find the concentration in mcg/mL, divide the total amount of nitroglycerin by the volume of the solution: [
\text{Concentration} = \frac{125,000 \text{ mcg}}{500 \text{ mL}} = 250 \text{ mcg/mL}
] - Determine the Required Infusion Rate to Deliver 42 mcg/minute: First, find out how many mL of solution contains 42 mcg of nitroglycerin. Use the concentration to calculate this: [
\text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{42 \text{ mcg}}{250 \text{ mcg/mL}} = 0.168 \text{ mL/minute}
] - Convert the Infusion Rate to mL/hr: To convert the infusion rate from mL/minute to mL/hour, multiply by 60 (since there are 60 minutes in an hour): [
\text{Infusion Rate} = 0.168 \text{ mL/minute} \times 60 = 10.08 \text{ mL/hour}
] Rounding to the nearest tenth: [
\text{Infusion Rate} \approx 10.1 \text{ mL/hour}
]
Thus, the nurse should program the IV pump to deliver nitroglycerin at a rate of 10.1 mL/hr.
Explanation:
To administer nitroglycerin at a specific rate, you need to determine the concentration of the medication in the IV solution and then calculate the volume required to deliver the desired dose. This involves converting units, calculating concentrations, and converting infusion rates. By ensuring the pump is set to the correct rate, the medication will be delivered accurately to meet the patient’s therapeutic needs.