The order from a provider is: Start Pitocin at 5 milliunits/min to induce labor. The pharmacy provides you with a 500 mL bag with 15 units of Pitocin added. What is the rate that would be set on the infusion pump?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To determine the infusion rate for Pitocin based on the provided order, follow these steps:
1. Understand the Order and Solution Concentration:
- Order: Start Pitocin at 5 milliunits/min.
- Solution: 500 mL bag with 15 units of Pitocin.
2. Convert Units to Milliunits:
Pitocin’s dosage is ordered in milliunits (mU), and the solution is provided in units. To convert units to milliunits:
- 1 unit = 1000 milliunits.
- Therefore, 15 units = 15,000 milliunits.
3. Calculate Concentration of Pitocin in the Solution:
Determine the concentration of Pitocin in the 500 mL bag: Concentration=Total milliunits in the bagTotal volume of the solution\text{Concentration} = \frac{\text{Total milliunits in the bag}}{\text{Total volume of the solution}}Concentration=Total volume of the solutionTotal milliunits in the bag Concentration=15,000 milliunits500 mL=30 milliunits/mL\text{Concentration} = \frac{15,000 \text{ milliunits}}{500 \text{ mL}} = 30 \text{ milliunits/mL}Concentration=500 mL15,000 milliunits=30 milliunits/mL
4. Calculate the Infusion Rate:
The goal is to administer Pitocin at a rate of 5 milliunits per minute. Using the concentration from step 3, calculate the infusion rate in mL/min: Infusion rate (mL/min)=Desired dose (milliunits/min)Concentration (milliunits/mL)\text{Infusion rate (mL/min)} = \frac{\text{Desired dose (milliunits/min)}}{\text{Concentration (milliunits/mL)}}Infusion rate (mL/min)=Concentration (milliunits/mL)Desired dose (milliunits/min) Infusion rate=5 milliunits/min30 milliunits/mL=16 mL/min≈0.17 mL/min\text{Infusion rate} = \frac{5 \text{ milliunits/min}}{30 \text{ milliunits/mL}} = \frac{1}{6} \text{ mL/min} \approx 0.17 \text{ mL/min}Infusion rate=30 milliunits/mL5 milliunits/min=61 mL/min≈0.17 mL/min
5. Set the Infusion Pump Rate:
Infusion pumps typically require the rate to be entered in mL/hour. To convert the rate from mL/min to mL/hour: Rate (mL/hour)=Infusion rate (mL/min)×60 min/hour\text{Rate (mL/hour)} = \text{Infusion rate (mL/min)} \times 60 \text{ min/hour}Rate (mL/hour)=Infusion rate (mL/min)×60 min/hour Rate=0.17 mL/min×60=10.2 mL/hour\text{Rate} = 0.17 \text{ mL/min} \times 60 = 10.2 \text{ mL/hour}Rate=0.17 mL/min×60=10.2 mL/hour
Conclusion:
The infusion pump should be set to 10.2 mL/hour to deliver Pitocin at a rate of 5 milliunits/min. This rate ensures that the patient receives the correct dosage as ordered by the provider.