Final answer:
The appropriate hourly rate for a 22 kg child needing D5 1/2 NS with 20 mEq KCl/L at maintenance is 62 mL/hr, according to the '4-2-1' rule for maintenance fluids in pediatric patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
When determining the appropriate hourly rate for an IV solution for a pediatric patient, one must consider factors such as the child's weight and the prescribed solution concentration. The question provided is concerned with administering D5 1/2 NS with 20 mEq KCl/L at a maintenance rate for a child weighing 22 kg. To solve this, you need to calculate the child's maintenance fluids requirement, which often follows the '4-2-1' rule (4 mL/kg/hr for the first 10 kg of body weight, 2 mL/kg/hr for the next 10 kg, and 1 mL/kg/hr for each additional kilogram). For a 22 kg child, the calculation is as follows:
- First 10 kg: 10 kg x 4 mL/kg/hr = 40 mL/hr
- Next 10 kg: 10 kg x 2 mL/kg/hr = 20 mL/hr
- Remaining 2 kg: 2 kg x 1 mL/kg/hr = 2 mL/hr
Adding those together gives a total of 62 mL/hr. Therefore, the appropriate hourly rate is 62 mL/hr, rounded to the nearest tenth as requested.