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
The amount of ampicillin in one dose is 390 mg.
This answer is correct because it is based on a series of multiplication and division calculations. The nurse should follow these steps to determine the amount of ampicillin in one dose:
1) Multiply the prescribed dose per kilogram per day by the child's weight in kilograms to get the total dose per day in milligrams, as follows:
150 mg/kg/day x 10.4 kg = 1560 mg/day
Therefore, the child needs 1560 mg of ampicillin per day.
2) Divide the total dose per day by the number of doses per day to get the amount of each dose in milligrams, as follows:
1560 mg/day / 4 doses/day = 390 mg/dose
Therefore, the amount of ampicillin in one dose is 390 mg.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This answer is correct because it is based on a series of unit conversions and calculations. The nurse should follow these steps to provide safe medication to the child:
1) Convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms by dividing by 2.2, since there are 2.2 lbs in 1 kg. The child weighs 20 kg.
2) Multiply the prescribed dose per kilogram by the child's weight in kilograms to get the total dose in milligrams. The child needs 40 mg of pyrimethamine.
3) Use the ratio given on the drug label to convert the total dose in milligrams to the volume in milliliters. The nurse can set up a proportion as follows:
1 mg / 5 mL = 40 mg / x mL
Cross-multiplying and solving for x gives:
x = 200 mL
Therefore, the nurse should administer 200 mL of medication to deliver 40 mg of pyrimethamine to the child.
4) Convert the volume in milliliters to the volume in teaspoons by dividing by 5, since there are 5 mL in 1 tsp. The nurse should administer 40 tsp of medication to the child.
5) Convert the volume in teaspoons to the volume in cups by dividing by 48, since there are 48 tsp in 1 cup. The nurse should administer 0.83 cups of medication to the child.
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