Question

A nurse is preparing to administer heparin 900 units/hr. via IV infusion. The amount available is heparin 25, 000 units in 500 mL 5% dextrose in water. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr.?

Answer 1

The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver 18 mL/hr of heparin infusion to administer the prescribed dose of 900 units/hr given the concentration of heparin available.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the flow rate of heparin required, we start with the desired units per hour (900 units/hr) and use the concentration provided (25,000 units in 500 mL).

The equation is as follows:

(900 units/hr) / (25,000 units/500 mL) = (X mL/hr)

Multiplying both sides to solve for X gives us:

(900 units/hr) × (500 mL) / (25,000 units) = X mL/hr

X = 18 mL/hr

Therefore, the nurse should set the IV pump to deliver 18 mL/hr of the heparin infusion.