The healthcare provider has ordered 1000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride to be administered intravenously over 5 hours. The drop factor on the tubing is 15 drops/mL. How many milliliters per hour will you administer and how many drops per minute?

A) Increase dosing with a large meal:
Increasing the dosing with a large meal may not be appropriate as it could lead to overdosing and potential side effects. The dosage of pancrelipase should be determined by the healthcare provider based on the individual's needs and response to treatment.

B) Take the medication at least 2 hours prior to meals:
Taking the medication prior to meals may not be effective as the enzymes will not be available when food is consumed, which defeats the purpose of enzyme replacement therapy. The enzymes need to be present simultaneously with the food to aid in digestion.

C) Take the medication with meals.
Pancrelipase, such as Cotazym, is a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy used to aid in the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in individuals with pancreatic insufficiency. Taking the medication with meals is crucial because it helps to ensure that the enzymes are available to aid in the digestion of food. Without proper enzyme supplementation during meals, individuals with pancreatic insufficiency may experience malabsorption, leading to nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal symptoms.

D) Decrease fluid intake:
Decreasing fluid intake is not appropriate as it could lead to dehydration and may not have any significant impact on the efficacy of pancrelipase. In fact, adequate fluid intake is important for digestion and overall health.

To calculate the rate of administration in milliliters per hour (mL/hr):

Given the total volume to be infused: 1000 mL

Given the total time for infusion: 5 hours

Divide the total volume by the total time to find the rate of administration per hour:

1000 mL ÷ 5 hours = 200 mL/hr

Therefore, the rate of administration will be 200 mL/hr.

To calculate the rate of administration in drops per minute (drops/min):

Given the drop factor: 15 drops/mL

Given the total volume to be infused: 1000 mL

Given the total time for infusion: 5 hours

First, find the total drops:

Total drops = Total volume × Drop factor

Total drops = 1000 mL × 15 drops/mL = 15,000 drops

Next, find the rate of drops per minute:

Rate of drops per minute = Total drops ÷ Total time in minutes

As there are 5 hours in total, we multiply by 60 to convert hours to minutes:

Rate of drops per minute = 15,000 drops ÷ (5 hours × 60 minutes/hour) = 50 drops/min

Therefore, the rate of administration will be 200 mL/hr and 50 drops/min.