Question

A 34-week primigravida with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is receiving Ringer's Lactate 500 ml with magnesium sulfate 20 grams at the rate of 3 grams/hour. How many ml/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump?

1) 120
2) 70
3) 65
4) 75

Answer 1

To determine the infusion pump rate for a primigravida patient with PIH receiving magnesium sulfate via Ringer's Lactate, a proportional calculation reveals that the pump should be set to 75 ml/hour.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to calculating the infusion pump rate for administering magnesium sulfate through a Ringer's Lactate solution to a primigravida patient with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). We are given that the total volume of Ringer's Lactate solution is 500 ml, containing 20 grams of magnesium sulfate, and the infusion rate of magnesium sulfate is 3 grams/hour. To find out how many ml/hour should be programmed into the infusion pump, we use the following proportion:

• 20 grams of magnesium sulfate in 500 ml of solution
• 3 grams of magnesium sulfate per hour

Set up the proportion:
3 grams / x ml = 20 grams / 500 ml
x = (3 grams * 500 ml) / 20 grams
x = 1500 / 20
x = 75 ml/hour

Therefore, the nurse should program the infusion pump to administer 75 ml/hour.