Question

1. A physician writes an order for Heparin to be 700 units/hr. The IV bag label reads 20,000 units Heparin in 500 mL D5W (dextrose 5% water). How many ml/hr will deliver the correct dose?

2. A patient is receiving 500 mL of an IV solution. How long will it take to infuse the patient (give them the entire dose intravenously) if the flow rate was set at 35 drops per minute and the drop factor listed on the tubing is 14 drops per mL?

Answer 1

1. We having values of following-

Order dose - Inj. Heparin 700units/hr.

Available dose- 20000 units in 500ml D5W

Rate (ml/hr) = ?

We having formula-

Dose to adm.( Unit/hr) =

[ Dose available/dilusion ] × rate ( ml/ hr)

700 = ( 20,000/500) × rate

Rate = 700/ 40

Rate (ml / hr ) = 17.5

So, Nurse will administer Inj. Heparin 17.5ml /hr to the patient for administration of 700units/hr.

2. We having values of following-

Order dose - IVF 500ml

Drop factor - 14 drops per ml

Flow rate - 35 drops per min

Time to be administer=?

We having formula =

Rate ( drop/min)

=[Total volume to be infused× drop factor ] / time(hr) × 60

35 = ( 500 × 14) /[ Time (hr ) × 60]

35= 7000 / time *60

Time in hr = 7000 / ( 35*60)

Time in hr = 7000/ 2100

Time in hr = 3.3

So , we have to administer 500ml IVF in 3hrs 30mins with 35 drops rate and 14 drop factor.