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A client receives a prescription for dextrose 5% in water 500 mL IV to be infused over 4 hours. The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is ["31"]

To find out how many gtt/min the nurse should regulate the infusion;

We can use the following formula:

Flow rate (gtt/min) = Total volume (mL) / Time (min) ​× Drop factor (gtt/mL)

Given:

Total volume = 500 mL

Time = 4 hours = 240 minutes (since 1 hour = 60 minutes)

Drop factor = 15 gtt/mL

 

Substituting the given values into the formula:

Flow rate (gtt/min) =500 mL/240 min​  ×15 gtt/mL

After performing the calculation, we find that the flow rate equals 31.25 gtt/min.

So, the nurse should regulate the infusion to 31 gtt/min (rounded to the nearest whole number).


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Schedule both medications at bedtime:
Administering both medications at bedtime may not be the most appropriate schedule. PTU is typically administered multiple times a day to maintain consistent therapeutic levels in the bloodstream. Additionally, administering Lugol’s solution at bedtime may not provide sufficient time for the iodine to take effect before the PTU.

B) Administer iodine one hour before PTU:
This option is correct. Lugol’s solution, a strong iodine solution, is often given before antithyroid medications such as PTU or methimazole to temporarily block thyroid hormone production. Administering iodine about one hour before PTU allows the iodine to be taken up by the thyroid gland, effectively reducing thyroid hormone synthesis before the PTU starts to inhibit the conversion of T4 to T3.

C) Give parental dose once every 24 hours:
This option does not address the timing of administration between PTU and Lugol’s solution. While it may be correct for the dosing frequency of PTU, it does not specify when to administer Lugol’s solution in relation to PTU.

D) Offer both drugs together with a meal:
Administering both drugs together with a meal may not be appropriate, especially considering that Lugol’s solution needs to be absorbed into the bloodstream to exert its effect on the thyroid gland. Administering Lugol’s solution and PTU together may not allow adequate time for the iodine to take effect before the PTU starts to inhibit thyroid hormone production.

Correct Answer is ["31"]

Explanation

To find out how many gtt/min the nurse should regulate the infusion;

We can use the following formula:

Flowrate(gtt/min) = Totalvolume(mL) / Time(min) ​× Dropfactor(gtt/mL)

Given:

Total volume = 500 mL

Time = 4 hours = 240 minutes (since 1 hour = 60 minutes)

Drop factor = 15 gtt/mL

Substituting the given values into the formula:

Flowrate(gtt/min) =500mL/240min​ ×15gtt/mL

After performing the calculation, we find that the flow rate equals 31.25 gtt/min.

So, the nurse should regulate the infusion to 31 gtt/min (rounded to the nearest whole number).

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