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 A
Explanation
To find the total amount of heparin, you need to calculate the following:
- The concentration of heparin in units per milliliter
- The volume of heparin infused from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
- The amount of heparin in units from each time period and the total amount
First, divide the amount of heparin by the volume of D5W to get the concentration in units per milliliter:
25,000 units / 250 mL = 100 units/mL
Next, multiply the infusion rate by the duration to get the volume infused in each time period:
From 9:00 am to 11:00 am (2 hours), the infusion rate is 12 mL/hr:
12 mL/hr x 2 hours = 24 mL
From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (3 hours), the infusion rate is 10 mL/hr:
10 mL/hr x 3 hours = 30 mL
Then, multiply the volume infused by the concentration to get the amount of heparin in units in each time period:
From 9:00 am to 11:00 am, the volume infused is 24 mL:
24 mL x 100 units/mL = 2400 units
From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, the volume infused is 30 mL:
30 mL x 100 units/mL = 3000 units
Finally, add the amounts of heparin from each time period to get the total amount:
2400 units + 3000 units = 5400 units
Therefore, the patient received **5400 units** of heparin from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
To calculate the rate of infusion, we need to divide the total volume to be infused (1.5 L) by the total time of infusion (24 hours)
1.5 L = 1500 mL (since 1 L = 1000 mL)
Dividing 1500 mL by 24 hours gives us the rate of 62.5 mL/hr.
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