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Nitroglycerin 125 mg diluted in 500 mL of D5W (dextrose 5% in water) is infusing at a rate of 42 mcg/minute for a patient with chest pain.
What rate (in mL/hr) should the nurse program into the IV pump to deliver this dose? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

A.

6.5 mL/hr

B.

9.6 mL/hr

C.

10.1 mL/hr

D.

14.8 mL/hr

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

To find the rate in mL/hr, you need to calculate the following:
 
-    The concentration of nitroglycerin in the IV solution in mcg/mL
-    The infusion rate in mL/hr using the formula: Infusion rate (mL/h) = (Dose (mcg/min) x 60 min/h) / Concentration (mcg/mL)

First, convert the concentration of nitroglycerin from mg to mcg by multiplying by 1000:

125 mg x 1000 = 125,000 mcg

Then, divide the amount of nitroglycerin by the volume of the IV solution to get the concentration in mcg/mL:

125,000 mcg / 500 mL = 250 mcg/mL

Next, plug in the values into the formula for infusion rate:

Infusion rate (mL/h) = (42 mcg/min x 60 min/h) / 250 mcg/mL

Simplify and solve for the infusion rate:

Infusion rate (mL/h) = 10.08 mL/h

Therefore, the nurse should program the IV pump to deliver **10.1 mL/h** to infuse nitroglycerin at 42 mcg/minute.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse should administer 1 mL per dose to the patient.

This answer is correct because it is based on a simple ratio and proportion calculation. The nurse can set up a proportion as follows:

30 mg / 1 mL = 30 mg / x mL

Cross-multiplying and solving for x gives:

x = 1 mL

Therefore, the nurse should administer 1 mL of Toradol injection to deliver 30 mg of the medication to the patient.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

the correct rate to administer the maintenance dose is 50 mL/hr.

Step 1: Determine the concentration of magnesium sulfate in the solution.

  • There are 40 grams of magnesium sulfate in 1 liter of solution.
  • 1 liter = 1000 mL.

Step 2: Calculate the concentration in grams per mL.

  • 40 grams ÷ 1000 mL = 0.04 grams per mL.
  • Result: 0.04 grams per mL.

Step 3: Determine the required dose per hour.

  • The physician ordered 2 grams per hour.

Step 4: Calculate the volume of solution needed to provide 2 grams of magnesium sulfate.

  • Required dose (2 grams) ÷ concentration (0.04 grams per mL) = volume in mL.
  • 2 grams ÷ 0.04 grams per mL = 50 mL.
  • Result: 50 mL.
  • The calculated rate is 50 mL/hr.

the correct rate to administer the maintenance dose is 50 mL/hr.

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