Question

Nurse prepares to adm. mag sulfate 2 g/hr IV to patient in preterm labor. Available is 20 g mag sulfate in 500 ml of dextrose 5% in H2O (D5W). Nurse should set IV infusion pump to adm how many ml/hr?

Answer 1

The nurse should set the IV infusion pump to 50 mL/hr to administer 2 grams of magnesium sulfate per hour, using the concentration of the available solution which is 20 grams in 500 mL of D5W.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking how to calculate the flow rate for an intravenous (IV) infusion pump when administering magnesium sulfate. The nurse needs to set the IV pump to deliver 2 grams of magnesium sulfate per hour, and the solution available is 20 grams of magnesium sulfate in 500 mL of D5W. To find the correct flow rate in mL/hr, you would use the following formula:

Flow rate (mL/hr) = (Dose ordered (g/hr) / Concentration of solution (g/mL)) x Volume of solution (mL)

First, calculate the concentration of the magnesium sulfate solution:

Concentration = Total amount of drug (g) / Total volume of solution (mL) = 20g / 500mL = 0.04g/mL

Then use the concentration to find the flow rate:

Flow rate = (2g/hr / 0.04g/mL) x 1mL = 50mL/hr

So, the nurse should set the IV infusion pump to deliver 50 mL/hr to administer 2 grams of magnesium sulfate per hour.