A Nitroglycerin drip is infusing at 3 mL/hr. the available solution is 50 mg of Nitroglycerin in 250 mL D5W. Calculate the following: mcg/hr

Given:

Volume of fluid: 100 mL

Infusion time: 4 hours

Drop factor: 60 gtt/mL

Formula:

Flow rate (gtt/min) = (Volume (mL) / Time (hr)) x Drop factor (gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr

Step 1: Calculate the infusion rate in mL/hr:

Infusion rate (mL/hr) = Volume (mL) / Time (hr)

Infusion rate (mL/hr) = 100 mL / 4 hr

Infusion rate (mL/hr) = 25 mL/hr

Step 2: Calculate the flow rate in gtt/min:

Flow rate (gtt/min) = (Infusion rate (mL/hr) x Drop factor (gtt/mL)) / 60 min/hr

Flow rate (gtt/min) = (25 mL/hr x 60 gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr

Flow rate (gtt/min) = 1500 gtt/hr / 60 min/hr

Flow rate (gtt/min) = 25 gtt/min

A) Nausea
Nausea is not the most common or primary complication associated with thrombolytic drugs. While some patients may experience nausea as a minor side effect, it is not the hallmark complication of thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolytic drugs are used to dissolve blood clots, and their primary concern is related to bleeding due to their potent effect on clotting factors.

B) Hypertension
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is not typically associated with thrombolytic therapy. In fact, thrombolytic drugs are more likely to cause hypotension (low blood pressure) in some cases, especially if bleeding complications lead to significant blood loss.

C) Fever
Fever can occur as a side effect of many medications or conditions, but it is not a common or direct complication of thrombolytic therapy. Fever may occasionally arise as a response to infection, inflammation, or even the breakdown of clots, but it is not a primary concern when using thrombolytic drugs.

D) Bleeding
Bleeding is the most common and serious complication associated with thrombolytic drugs. These medications work by breaking down fibrin, the protein responsible for clot formation, to dissolve blood clots. While this is beneficial in conditions like myocardial infarction, stroke, or pulmonary embolism, it increases the risk of bleeding throughout the body. Bleeding can occur at various sites, including internal bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and bleeding at the injection site.