Question

Heparin protocol is prescribed for a client weighing 90 kg. Per protocol, the heparin loading dose is 60 units/kg IV rounded to the nearest 100 units, with a maximum loading dose of 4,000 units. The heparin vial is labeled 5,000 units/ml. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter the numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)

a) 7.2
b) 6.8
c) 8.0
d) 7.6

Answer 1

The nurse should administer 0.8 mL of heparin to the patient, as the loading dose is rounded to the nearest 100 units with a maximum dose of 4,000 units.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the dosage of heparin to be administered, we first have to multiply the patient's weight by the prescribed dose per kilogram. A client weighing 90 kg prescribed a loading dose of 60 units/kg IV would require a total dose of 90 kg * 60 units/kg = 5400 units. However, since the prescription stipulates rounding to the nearest 100 units and a maximum loading dose of 4,000 units, we must not exceed that limit.

Therefore, the actual loading dose to be administered is 4,000 units. Given that the heparin vial is labeled 5,000 units per mL, we divide the dosage by the concentration to determine the volume to be given: 4,000 units ÷ 5,000 units/mL = 0.8 mL. When rounding to the nearest tenth, the volume of heparin to be administered is 0.8 mL.