Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The client is to receive 2,000 kcal per day. The TPN solution has 500 kcal/L. The IV pump should be set at how many mL/hr? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

a. 250 mL/hr.

b. 500 mL/hr.

c. 1000 mL/hr.

d. 2000 mL/hr.

Answer 1

To deliver 2,000 kcal per day using a TPN solution of 500 kcal/L, the IV pump should be set to 167 mL/hr. This is calculated by converting the daily volume required to an hourly rate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked how to set the IV pump flow rate if a client is prescribed total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to receive 2,000 kcal per day, with the TPN solution providing 500 kcal/L. Here's how to calculate the proper flow rate:

• Firstly, determine the total volume of TPN solution needed to deliver 2,000 kcal. Since each liter provides 500 kcal, the patient needs 4 liters per day (2,000 kcal / 500 kcal/L = 4 L).
• To convert liters per day to mL per hour, remember that there are 1,000 mL in a liter and 24 hours in a day.
• So, the flow rate is (4 L/day) * (1,000 mL/L) / (24 hr/day) = 166.67 mL/hr, which rounds to 167 mL/hr.

Finally, the IV pump should be set to 167 mL/hr to deliver the prescribed 2,000 kcal per day using the TPN solution of 500 kcal/L.