Question

1. The PCP orders 200 units of Insulin in 500 mL NS to infuse at 10 units/hr. How many mL/hr will the nurse set the pump? Round the answer to the nearest whole number.

2. The prescription is for 100 units Regular insulin in 50 mL NS to infuse at 10 mL/hr. How many units per hour will the client receive? Round the answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer 1

Question 1

First identify the doctor's order.

doctor's order = 10 units/ hour

This is also known as the dose.

second, identify the dose in hand (DOH).

DOH = 200units/500ml

supplied is 200 units of insulin in 500ml of NS. So this can be written as 200units/500ml

Now solve the infusion rate in ml/hr using dimensional analysis.

doctor's order × DOH = Wanted quantity

10 units/hr × 500ml/200 units = 25 ml/hr

the infusion rate would be 25ml/ hr.

Question 2

here the doctor's order = 10 ml/ hr

this is also known as the dose.

second, identify the dose in hand.

DOH = 100 units/50ml = 2 units/ml

To arrive at units/ hour, the universal formula is:

D(desired)/ H(on hand) × V (volume)

= Units/hour(# of ml × units/ ml = dose)

hence;

D = 10 ml/hr

H = 2 units/ ml

units/hr = D × H

= 10 ml/ hr × 2 units/ ml

= 20 units/hr

hence the client will receive 20 units/hr.