A nurse needs to infuse esmolol to a client weighing 65 kg. The dose on hand is 2,500 mg esmolol in 250 mL of fluid. The client requires a dose of 200 mcg/kg/min. Which rate should the nurse calculate to infuse this medication?
Round to the nearest whole number.
5 mL/hr
6 mL/hr
13 mL/hr
78 mL/hr
The Correct Answer is D
First, we need to calculate the total dose of esmolol required per minute: Total dose = Weight x Dose x 60 minutes
Total dose = 65 kg x 200 mcg/kg/min x 60 minutes Total dose = 780,000 mcg/min
Next, we need to convert the dose to milligrams (mg):
780,000 mcg/min = 780 mg/min
The concentration of the esmolol solution is 2,500 mg in 250 mL or 10 mg/mL. To deliver 780 mg/min at a concentration of 10 mg/mL, we need to infuse: Infusion rate = Total dose / Concentration
Infusion rate = 780 mg/min / 10 mg/mL Infusion rate = 78 mL/min
Rounding to the nearest whole number, the answer is D. 78 mL/hr.
Therefore, the nurse should calculate an infusion rate of 78 mL/hr to deliver the required dose of esmolol to the patient.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The toddler is ordered to receive 25 mg/kg of Principen IV over 30 minutes. The toddler weighs 22 lb, which is equivalent to 10 kg. To calculate the total amount of Principen the toddler should receive, multiply the weight by the dosage:
10 kg x 25 mg/kg = 250 mg
The Principen dose arrives from the pharmacy prepared in 50 mL of IV solution, which means there is 250 mg of Principen in 50 mL of solution. To calculate how many milliliters per hour the nurse should administer, we can use the following formula:
50 mL / 0.5 hour = X mL per hour X = 100 mL per hour
Therefore, the nurse should administer 100 mL of Principen per hour to the toddler.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This is the most commonly used method for calculating pediatric doses, especially for medications that are weight-based. The pediatric dose is typically calculated as a fraction or percentage of the adult dose based on the child's weight. For example, if the adult dose is 100mg and the child weighs 50kg, the child's dose may be calculated as 50mg (50% of the adult dose). Actual body weight takes into account the child's current weight, which can be an important factor in determining the appropriate dose.
Reasons why the other choices are not answers:
A. Body surface area is a method for calculating pediatric doses, but it is typically used for medications that are associated with toxicity or have a narrow therapeutic index.
C. Ideal body weight is an estimate of what a person's weight should be based on their height and gender, rather than their actual weight. It may be used in situations where a child is significantly overweight or underweight, but it is rarely used for pediatric dosing.
D. Actual body height is rarely used for pediatric dosing, as it does not take into account the child's weight or other important factors. It may be used in certain situations, such as when dosing growth hormone therapy.
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