Question

Ordered nitroglycerin 10 mcg/min IV infusion. Concentration available is 50 mg in 250 mL D5W. What should the mL/hr be to deliver the medication at 10 mcg/min?

Answer 1

0.05 mL/hr.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the mL/hr rate to deliver nitroglycerin at 10 mcg/min, calculate the infusion rate based on the given concentration.

Given:

Nitroglycerin concentration: 50 mg in 250 mL D5W (dextrose 5% in water)

Ordered infusion rate: 10 mcg/min

First, convert the concentration of nitroglycerin from milligrams (mg) to micrograms (mcg). Since 1 mg = 1000 mcg, the concentration is 50,000 mcg in 250 mL D5W.

Now, set up a proportion to find the mL/hr rate:

50,000 mcg / 250 mL = 10 mcg / x mL/hr

To solve for x, cross-multiply and divide:

50,000 mcg * x mL/hr = 10 mcg * 250 mL

50,000x = 2,500 mcg/mL

Dividing both sides by 50,000 mcg gives:

x = 2,500 mcg/mL / 50,000 mcg

x = 0.05 mL/hr

Therefore, to deliver nitroglycerin at a rate of 10 mcg/min, the mL/hr rate should be approximately 0.05 mL/hr.