A nurse is preparing to administer heparin 1,000 units/hr via continuous IVinfusion to a client. Available is heparin 25,000 units in 0.9% sodium chloride 250 mL. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
The correct answer and Explanation is :
To determine the correct IV pump setting for administering heparin at 1,000 units/hr, follow these steps:
- Identify the Concentration of the Solution:
- The available heparin solution is 25,000 units in 250 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride.
- This means that the concentration of the solution is 25,000 units/250 mL.
- Calculate the Concentration in Units per mL:
- To find the concentration in units per mL, divide the total units by the total volume:
[
\text{Concentration} = \frac{25,000 \text{ units}}{250 \text{ mL}} = 100 \text{ units/mL}
]
- Determine the Infusion Rate Required:
- The order is to administer heparin at a rate of 1,000 units/hr.
- Using the concentration calculated above (100 units/mL), determine how many mL of the solution are needed to deliver 1,000 units:
[
\text{Volume needed (mL)} = \frac{1,000 \text{ units}}{100 \text{ units/mL}} = 10 \text{ mL}
]
- Set the IV Pump:
- To administer 1,000 units/hr, set the IV pump to deliver 10 mL/hr.
Explanation:
In this calculation, the main steps are to understand the concentration of the heparin solution and to use that concentration to determine the appropriate volume to administer the required dose. By converting the concentration into units per mL and using it to find out how many mL are needed per hour, we ensure that the patient receives the correct dosage of heparin.
For example, if the concentration of the heparin solution is 100 units per mL and the desired rate is 1,000 units per hour, you need to deliver 10 mL per hour to achieve the prescribed dose. This method ensures accurate dosing and maintains proper therapeutic levels of the medication in the patient’s bloodstream.