Question

Q1 If a pharmacist adds 2.5ml of a 150mg/5ml of epinephrine solution to a 50 ml intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride bag, what would be the infusion rate, in drops per minute, if the physician desires the patient to get 340 micrograms of epinephrine per minute? Do not count the volume on the additive. The dropper sets used deliver 20 drops per milliliters.

Q2 Based on your answer above, in question Number 2, how long in minutes will it take to administer the entire 500 milliliters bag containing the epinephrine? Again do not count the volume of the additive.

Answer 1

The initial epinephrine solution concentration is 150 mg/5ml.

So, epinephrine content in 2.5 ml solution is (150 mg/5ml * 2.5 ml) = 75 mg.

The total volume of the sodium chloride intravenous is 500 ml.

Thus, epinephrine concentration in the intravenous solution is calculated as

    

For 340 mcg per minute dose the volume of intravenous to be administered per minute is

    

Hence, number of drops to be administered per minute is

    

Q2. Time required to administer 500 ml solution is