Question

An order for phenytoin 300 mg IV is written. The pharmacy technician prepares this dose in 150 mL of D5W in a plastic bag and labels it to be infused over 10 minutes. What describes the error made by the technician?

Answer 1

The error involves preparing a 300 mg dose of phenytoin to be infused over 10 minutes, exceeding the typical maximum infusion rate of 50 mg per minute, which may lead to harmful effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

The error made by the technician in preparing the order for phenytoin 300 mg IV to be infused over 10 minutes is not in line with standard infusion rates. Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant drug that has a recommended infusion rate typically not exceeding 50 mg per minute to prevent adverse reactions, such as cardiotoxicity and hypotension. Infusing 300 mg of phenytoin over 10 minutes would result in an infusion rate of 30 mg per minute, which may exceed the patient's tolerance level, considering patient-specific factors. Medical and pharmaceutical personnel must carefully calculate drug dosages and infusion rates to ensure patient safety, as the wrong dose or infusion rate can be harmful or even fatal. The concentration peaks very quickly with an IV infusion, and exceeding the recommended rate can lead to dangerously high plasma concentrations.