A nurse is to administer Dobutamine (Dobutrex) 2.5 mcg/kg/min IV to a patient with severe heart failure who weighs 130 pounds. The pharmacy prepares a solution of 250 mg of Dobutrex in 500 mL D5W. How many mL of the medication should be administered to the patient per hour? Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is ["18"]

Step 1: Convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms. 130 pounds ÷ 2.205 (1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms) ≈ 58.97 kilograms

Step 2: Calculate the total dosage of Dobutamine required per hour based on the weight-specific dose. 2.5 mcg/kg/min × 58.97 kg = 147.425 mcg/min

Step 3: Calculate the infusion rate (mL/hr) using the concentration of Dobutamine in the prepared solution. The solution contains 250 mg of Dobutamine in 500 mL, which means there are 250,000 mcg of Dobutamine in 500 mL. To determine the mL/hr, divide the required dosage (147.425 mcg/min) by the amount of Dobutamine in 500 mL (250,000 mcg) and multiply by 500 mL (volume of the solution).

(147.425 mcg/min ÷ 250,000 mcg) × 500 mL ≈ 0.295 mL/min

To get the mL/hr, we convert the rate from minutes to hours (60 minutes = 1 hour):

0.295 mL/min × 60 min/hr ≈ 17.7 mL/hr

Round the answer to the nearest whole number:

Approximately 18 mL/hr of Dobutamine should be administered to the patient.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Systemic vascular resistance represents the resistance to blood flow in the systemic circulation. It is an important indicator of afterload, which is the force against which the left ventricle must pump to eject blood into the systemic circulation. By monitoring the changes in SVR, the nurse can assess the impact of medications aimed at reducing left ventricular afterload.
A. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) in (option A) is incorrect because: PAWP is a measure of left ventricular preload and reflects the pressure within the left atrium and left ventricle at end-diastole. It is not specifically related to afterload reduction.
C. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in (option C) is incorrect because: PVR represents the resistance to blood flow in the pulmonary circulation. It is not directly related to left ventricular afterload.
D. Central venous pressure (CVP) in (option D) is incorrect because: CVP reflects the pressure in the right atrium and is an indicator of right-sided cardiac function. It is not specifically related to left ventricular afterload reduction.
Therefore, to assess the effectiveness of medications in reducing left ventricular afterload, the nurse should monitor the systemic vascular resistance (SVR).

A. Stop and ventilate the patient with 100% oxygen. B. Check the patient's potassium level C. Give prescribed PRN antidysrhythmic medications. D. Decrease the suction pressure to 80 mm Hg.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are abnormal heart rhythms originating from the ventricles. They can be triggered by various factors, including irritation or stimulation of the airway during suctioning.
In this situation, the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation for the patient. Stopping the suctioning procedure and providing ventilatory support with 100% oxygen helps maintain oxygen levels and minimizes further cardiac dysrhythmias.
B. Check the patient's potassium level in (option B) is incorrect because While electrolyte imbalances, including low potassium levels (hypokalemia), can contribute to cardiac dysrhythmias, checking the potassium level is not the immediate priority when PVCs occur during suctioning.
C. Give prescribed PRN antidysrhythmic medications in (option C) is incorrect because: Administering antidysrhythmic medications without further assessment or evaluation may not be appropriate in this situation.
D. Decrease the suction pressure to 80 mm Hg in (option D) is incorrect because: While adjusting suction pressure may help prevent further irritation, it is not the initial priority when PVCs are present during suctioning.
E. Documenting the dysrhythmia in the patient's chart in (option E) is incorrect because: Documentation is important but should not be the initial action when a patient experiences PVCs during suctioning. Patient safety and immediate intervention take precedence.
Therefore, when PVCs occur during suctioning, the nurse should stop the procedure, provide ventilatory support with 100% oxygen, and assess the patient's response to intervention.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

To determine the effectiveness of medications that a patient has received to reduce left ventricular afterload, which hemodynamic parameter will the nurse monitor?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) occur while the nurse is suctioning a patient's endotracheal tube. Which action by the nurse is best?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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