Final answer:
The drip rate for a patient weighing 80 kg and prescribed 8 mcg/kg/hr of a medication available at 0.64 mg/2 mL is 2 mL/hr.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the drip rate in mL/hr for a patient who weighs 80 kg and is prescribed a medication at 8 mcg/kg/hr, we need to use the information provided about the medication concentration. The medication is available at a concentration of 0.64 mg per 2 mL. First, we need to convert the ordered dosage from mcg to mg by multiplying the patient's weight by the dosage ordered and then dividing by 1000 (since there are 1000 mcg in a mg). We then use this information to determine the volume of medication the patient should receive per hour.
Ordered dose in mg/hr (for 80 kg patient) = 8 mcg/kg/hr × 80 kg / 1000 = 0.64 mg/hr.
Since the available medication concentration is 0.64 mg in 2 mL, for every 0.64 mg the patient needs, they should receive 2 mL. Therefore, since the patient requires 0.64 mg/hr, this corresponds directly to 2 mL/hr.
So the drip rate should be set to 2 mL/hr.