Question

A child is to receive 80 mg of medication that is contained in 2 mL. You are to dilute to 100 mL and infuse in 2 ½ hours. A 25 mL flush is to follow.

(a) the amount of diluent to add,

(b) the flow rate in drops per minute, and

c) the flow rate in mL per hour.

Answer 1

It can be answered in 2 ways. They didnt mention whether Flush is taken from drug or not. Generally saline is used as flush. how ever answer for both is explained here

a) TOTAL AMOUNT OF DILUTENT TO ADD

Total amount of drug available in 2 ml. Dilutent to make it 100ml is 98 ml (2+98=100)

b) FLOW RATE IN DROPS PER MINUTE

(IF 25 mL flush not from drug)

Total time= 2 1/2 hrs is 150 minutes

fluid to be infused is 100mL

Fluid to be infused in 1 min is = 100/150 = 0.667mL or 2/3 mL

Amount of drops in one mL is (as per standard calculation which is universaly accepted) is 20 drops.

amount of drops to be instilled in 1 min is = 0.667 x 20 = 13.33 drops per min.

(IF 25 mL flush taken from drug)

Total time= 2 1/2 hrs is 150 minutes

fluid to be infused is 100 - 25mL =75mL (25 mL used as flush)

Fluid to be infused in 1 min is = 75/150 = 0.5mL or 1/2 mL

Amount of drops in one mL is (as per standard calculation which is universaly accepted) is 20 drops.

amount of drops to be instilled in 1 min is = 0.5 x 20 = 10 drops per min.

c) the flow rate in mL per hour

FLOW RATE IN mL PER HOUR

(IF 25 mL flush is not taken from drug)

Total time = 2.5 hrs or 5/2

Volume to be instilled 100 ml

volume to be instilled in 1 hr = 100/2.5 = 40mL per hour

(IF 25 mL flush is taken from drug)

Total time = 2.5 hrs or 5/2

Volume to be instilled 100 - 25 = 75 mL ( 25 mL used as flush)

volume to be instilled in 1 hr = 75/2.5 = 30mL per hour