A nurse is preparing to administer ampicillin/sulbactam 15 g via intermittent IV bolus

A nurse is preparing to administer ampicillin/sulbactam 15 g via intermittent IV bolus, Available is ampicillin-sulbactam 1.5 g in 0.9% sodium chloride 100 mL to infuse over 30 min. The nurse should set the IV infusion pump to deliver how many mL/h? Mound the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies in not use a trailing zero)

The correct answer and Explanation is :

To solve this problem, we first need to calculate the IV infusion rate in milliliters per hour (mL/h).

Given Information:

  • Dosage available: 1.5 g of ampicillin/sulbactam in 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride.
  • Time to infuse: 30 minutes.

We want to determine the infusion rate in mL/h.

Step-by-Step Calculation:

  1. Convert infusion time from minutes to hours:
    [
    30 \, \text{minutes} = 0.5 \, \text{hours}
    ]
  2. Calculate the IV pump rate:
    The IV pump delivers 100 mL over 30 minutes (or 0.5 hours). To find the rate in mL/h, divide the volume (100 mL) by the infusion time in hours (0.5 hours): [
    \text{Rate} = \frac{100 \, \text{mL}}{0.5 \, \text{hours}} = 200 \, \text{mL/h}
    ]

Answer:

The nurse should set the IV infusion pump to 200 mL/h.

Explanation:

  • IV Infusion Rate Formula: The general formula for IV infusion rate calculation is:
    [
    \text{Rate (mL/h)} = \frac{\text{Total Volume (mL)}}{\text{Time (hours)}}
    ]
    This formula helps determine the speed at which the IV pump should deliver the solution.
  • Volume and Time Conversion: Since the nurse needs to infuse 100 mL over 30 minutes, converting the time to hours is essential for calculating the pump rate in mL/h.
  • Safety Considerations: It is important for the nurse to set the IV pump correctly to ensure the medication is administered over the intended duration, preventing complications such as overdose or underdose.

Always double-check infusion rates in real-world practice to ensure accuracy and patient safety.

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