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A patient in active labor is prescribed oxytocin 12 milliunits/min intravenously (IV). The IV bag contains 5 units of oxytocin in 500 mL of lactated Ringer’s solution.

How many mL/hour should the nurse set the infusion pump to? (Enter numerical value only) .
Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is ["0.72"]

Step 1 is to calculate the total amount of oxytocin in the IV bag. This is done by multiplying the total volume of the bag by the concentration of oxytocin. In this case, the bag contains 5 units of oxytocin in 500 mL, so the concentration is 5 units ÷ 500 mL = 0.01 units/mL.

Step 2 is to convert the prescribed dose from milliunits/min to units/hour. There are 1000 milliunits in a unit and 60 minutes in an hour, so 12 milliunits/min = 12 ÷ 1000 units/min = 0.012 units/min. Then, 0.012 units/min × 60 min/hour = 0.72 units/hour.

Step 3 is to calculate the infusion rate in mL/hour. This is done by dividing the prescribed dose in units/hour by the concentration of oxytocin in units/mL. So, 0.72 units/hour ÷ 0.01 units/mL = 72 mL/hour. Therefore, the nurse should set the infusion pump to 72 mL/hour.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is A. Praise the client for her actions and offer to discuss ways to decrease consumption even more.

Why? During pregnancy, any amount of alcohol poses a risk to the developing fetus, but abruptly shaming or forcing action may not be effective. The best approach is motivational interviewing, which involves acknowledging the client's reduction while encouraging further progress. A supportive conversation can help guide the client toward complete cessation of alcohol use.

Here’s why the other options are incorrect:

  • B. Insist that the client stop all alcohol use and draw a blood alcohol level at each prenatal visit – While alcohol cessation is the goal, forcing the client without a supportive approach can lead to resistance. Routine blood alcohol testing is not standard unless substance dependence is suspected.

  • C. Notify child protective services of the client’s illicit drug use and probable child endangerment – Alcohol is not classified as an illicit drug, and reporting at this stage would be premature unless clear evidence of abuse or harm to the fetus exists.

  • D. Refer the client to an outpatient alcohol abuse program for disulfiram therapy – Disulfiram (Antabuse) is not recommended in pregnancy, as it may cause adverse effects. Instead, behavioral counseling and support groups are preferred interventions.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While it’s important to evaluate the parent’s ability to care for the child, this does not directly address the parent’s fear of needles. The parent’s fear of needles is a specific issue that needs to be addressed in order to ensure the child receives the necessary insulin injections.
Choice B rationale
Determining if the child can administer the insulin is a potential solution to the parent’s fear of needles. Some children as young as 10 years old may be able to administer their own insulin injections with proper training and supervision. This would allow the child to manage their diabetes independently and alleviate the parent’s fear of needles.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging the parent to handle the needles may not be effective if the parent has a significant fear of needles. It’s important to respect the parent’s fear and find alternative solutions, such as having the child administer the insulin or finding another person who can assist with the injections.
Choice D rationale
Inquiring if there is another person who can assist with the injections is a potential solution to the parent’s fear of needles. If there is another person available who is comfortable administering the insulin injections, this could alleviate the parent’s fear and ensure the child receives the necessary care.

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