Order: 1 liter or 1000 mL of D5W to infuse over 6 hours

Available: Macrodrip set: 10 gtt/mL

The IV flow rate would be ______gtt/min.

A) Patients with hypertension
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is not primarily used to treat hypertension. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is typically managed with antihypertensive medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, or calcium channel blockers. LMWH is an anticoagulant, which works to prevent blood clots rather than controlling blood pressure.

B) Patients with asthma
LMWH is not typically used to treat asthma. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that is usually managed with bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol) and anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids. While patients with asthma may be at risk for blood clots under certain conditions (e.g., severe asthma exacerbations, immobility), LMWH is not a first-line treatment for asthma.

C) Patients with diabetes
While people with diabetes may be at an increased risk of developing blood clots, LMWH is not specifically used to treat diabetes. Diabetes is typically managed with insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, lifestyle modifications, and other medications to control blood glucose levels. LMWH is an anticoagulant used for conditions that require prevention of clot formation, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

D) Patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
LMWH is commonly prescribed to patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. LMWH is a type of anticoagulant that prevents the formation of further clots by inhibiting factors involved in blood clotting. It is especially effective for patients with DVT or those at high risk for thromboembolic events, such as after surgery or during prolonged immobility. LMWH provides more predictable anticoagulation and requires less frequent monitoring than unfractionated heparin, making it ideal for outpatient management and in hospital settings.

Given:

Total Heparin in solution: 25,000 units

Volume of solution: 250 mL

Infusion rate: 11 mL/hr

Step 1: Calculate the concentration of Heparin in the solution:

Concentration (units/mL) = Total Heparin (units) / Volume of solution (mL)

Concentration (units/mL) = 25,000 units / 250 mL

Concentration (units/mL) = 100 units/mL

Step 2: Calculate the infusion rate in units/hr:

Infusion rate (units/hr) = Infusion rate (mL/hr) x Concentration (units/mL)

Infusion rate (units/hr) = 11 mL/hr x 100 units/mL

Infusion rate (units/hr) = 1100 units/hr