A nurse needs to infuse esmolol to a patient weighing 65 kg. The dose on hand is 2,500 mg esmolol in 250 mL of fluid. The patient requires a dose of 200 mcg/kg/min to control a hypertensive crisis. Which rate should the nurse calculate to infuse this medication? Round to the nearest whole number.
78 mL/hr
105 mL/hr
60 mL/hr
16 mL/hr
The Correct Answer is A
To calculate the infusion rate, we need to convert the patient's weight from kilograms to milligrams.
Patient's weight: 65 kg
Dose required: 200 mcg/kg/min
First, let's calculate the total dose required for the patient per minute: Dose required = 200 mcg/kg/min * 65 kg
= 13,000 mcg/min
Next, we need to convert the dose from micrograms to milligrams:
13,000 mcg/min = 13 mg/min
Now, let's determine the infusion rate. We have 2,500 mg of esmolol in 250 mL of fluid. Therefore, the concentration of esmolol in the fluid is:
Concentration = 2,500 mg / 250 mL
= 10 mg/mL
To find the infusion rate, we divide the dose required by the concentration: Infusion rate = 13 mg/min / 10 mg/mL
= 1.3 mL/mi
Since the options are in mL/hr, we need to convert the rate from mL/min to mL/hr:
1.3 mL/min * 60 min/hr = 78 mL/hr
Therefore, the correct answer is:
a. 78 mL/hr
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
To find the amount of solution to draw for one dose, you need to calculate the following:
- The body surface area (BSA) of the client in square meters (m²) using the formula: BSA (m²) = √(Height (cm) x Weight (kg) / 3600)
- The dose of allopurinol in milligrams (mg) using the formula: Dose (mg) = BSA (m²) x Prescribed dose
(mg/m²)
- The volume of solution in milliliters (mL) using the formula: Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL)
First, use the formula for BSA to find the client's body surface area in square meters:
BSA (m²) = √(Height (cm) x Weight (kg) / 3600)
Since the client's height is 148 cm and weight is 55 kg, plug in these values into the formula:
BSA (m²) = √(148 cm x 55 kg / 3600)
Simplify and solve for the BSA:
BSA (m²) = 1.41 m²
Next, use the formula for dose to find the amount of allopurinol in milligrams:
Dose (mg) = BSA (m²) x Prescribed dose (mg/m²)
Since the client's BSA is 1.41 m² and the prescribed dose is 115 mg/m², plug in these values into the formula:
Dose (mg) = 1.41 m² x 115 mg/m²
Simplify and solve for the dose:
Dose (mg) = 162.15 mg
Then, use the formula for volume to find the amount of solution in milliliters:
Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL)
Since the dose is 162.15 mg and the concentration is 25 mg/mL, plug in these values into the formula:
Volume (mL) = 162.15 mg / 25 mg/mL
Simplify and solve for the volume:
Volume (mL) = 6.486 mL
Therefore, the nurse should draw **6.486 mL** of solution for one dose of allopurinol.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
To answer this question, we need to understand the principles of pediatric dosage calculations and the factors that affect them. Pediatric dosages are usually calculated based on the child's weight or body surface area, and sometimes adjusted for age, organ function, or disease severity¹. However, not all medications that are used in adults are safe or effective in children. Some medications may have different pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, or interactions in children than in adults².
Therefore, it is important to check the drug insert or label for any contraindications, warnings, or precautions for pediatric use before prescribing or administering a medication to a child. If the drug insert states that the medication is not for pediatric use, it means that the medication has not been tested or approved for use in children, or that it has been shown to be harmful or ineffective in children. In this case, a pediatric dose calculated from an adult dose should be avoided, as it may result in serious toxicity or therapeutic failure. The healthcare provider should consult a pediatric specialist, a pharmacist, or a reliable drug reference for alternative medications or dosing recommendations.
The other options are not correct because they do not necessarily warrant avoiding a pediatric dose calculated from an adult dose.
Option a. If the drug insert does not specify a pediatric dose, it means that there is insufficient data or evidence to support a specific pediatric dose, but it does not mean that the medication is contraindicated or unsafe in children. The healthcare provider should use clinical judgment and available resources to determine the appropriate dose for the child³.
Option b. If the child has an elevated temperature that has not responded to treatment, it means that the child may have an infection or inflammation that may affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of some medications. The healthcare provider should monitor the child's condition and adjust the dose accordingly, but it does not mean that the medication should be avoided altogether⁴.
Option c. If the child has gained or lost weight in the past month, it means that the child's weight may have changed significantly since the last dose calculation. The healthcare provider should weigh the child and recalculate the dose based on the current weight, but it does not mean that the medication should be avoided altogether.
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