A healthcare provider orders nitroprusside (100 mg/1 mL) 3 mcg/kg/minute for a patient weighing 154 lb. What rate (mL/hr) should the nurse program into the IV pump?
126 mL/hr
1.26 mL/hr
1260 mL/hr
12.6 mL/hr
The Correct Answer is B
First, we need to convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms using the conversion factor 1 kg =
2.2 lb:
154 lb / 2.2 lb/kg = 70 kg
Next, we need to calculate the dose of nitroprusside in mcg/min using the formula Dose = Weight × Dosage:
Dose = 70 kg × 3 mcg/kg/min = 210 mcg/min
Then, we need to convert the dose of nitroprusside from mcg/min to mg/hr using the conversion factor 1 mg = 1000 mcg:
210 mcg/min × 1 mg/1000 mcg × 60 min/hr = 12.6 mg/hr
Finally, we need to calculate the rate of nitroprusside in mL/hr using the formula Rate = Dose/Concentration:
Rate = 12.6 mg/hr / 100 mg/mL = 0.126 mL/hr
To round to the nearest hundredth, we get 0.13 mL/hr, which is approximately equal to 1.26 mL/hr.
Therefore, the nurse should program the IV pump to deliver nitroprusside at a rate of 1.26 mL/hr.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Step 1 is Convert pounds to kilograms 110 lb ÷ 2.2 = 50 kg
Step 2 is Calculate dose in micrograms per minute 50 kg × 200 micrograms = 10,000 micrograms/min
Step 3 is Convert micrograms to milligrams 10,000 micrograms ÷ 1000 = 10 mg/min
Step 4 is Convert mg/min to mg/hr 10 mg × 60 = 600 mg/hr
Step 5 is Determine concentration of esmolol in mg/mL 2.5 grams × 1000 = 2500 mg 2500 mg ÷ 250 mL = 10 mg/mL
Step 6 is Calculate infusion rate in mL/hr 600 mg/hr ÷ 10 mg/mL = 60 mL/hr
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse should add 250 mL of water to the formula to dilute it to half strength.
This answer is correct because it is based on a simple ratio and proportion calculation. The nurse can set up a proportion as follows:
250 mL / 1 = x mL / 0.5
Cross-multiplying and solving for x gives:
x = 500 mL
Therefore, the nurse should add 250 mL of water to the formula to make a total volume of 500 mL, which is half the concentration of the original formula.
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